SRINAGAR, Aug 19 (1988): Police killed three persons and wounded at least nine today when they opened fire on crowds who defied a curfew imposed after the death of Pakistani president Mohammed Zia ul-Haq, officials said.

Troops also patrolled the streets of border towns to control violence caused by Zia’s death.

At a special meeting in New Delhi, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and his Cabinet observed a minute’s silence in memory of Zia.

In Srinagar authorities imposed an indefinite curfew when crowds tried to set fire to two bridges after Zia’s death was announced.

Police were ordered to shoot at violators. A pro-Pakistan crowd defied the curfew and tried to set fire to Hindu shops, said District Commissioner Shafi Pandit, a senior civil administrator in the state. Police fatally shot three persons and wounded nine, he said.

Troops also were sent to the nearby towns of Baramula and Anantnag after rampaging crowds tried to set fire to Hindu homes, shops and temples, Pandit said.