Curfew was today extended to all major towns of the Kashmir Valley as a precautionary measure after violent clashes left 17 people dead and over 70 injured, official sources said here.

The sources said the curfew was imposed in fresh areas as a precautionary measure and to prevent people from pouring out on roads and streets.

Srinagar city, Anantnag, Bijbehara, Awantipora, Lethpora, Pampore and Pulwama towns in south Kashmir and Sopore town in north Kashmir were already under curfew since Sunday.

The new areas that have been brought under the ambit of prohibitory orders include Budgam town, Choon, Mirgund, Ompora, Narkara, Shekhpora, Humhama, I.G.Road, Gulwanpora, Nadir Gund, Chadoora and Wathoora in central Kashmir's Budgam district.

Curfew was also imposed in Ganderbal and Kangan towns, Kulgam, Qoimoh, Shopian town, Baramulla town, Tangmarg, Kupwara town, Tregham, Kralpora, Handwara, Chotipora, Kulangam and Bandipora town.

A police spokesman said a mob took out the belongings and bedding of police personnel from a police post at Khanabal-Pahalgam Road in Anantnag town last night and set them on fire.

A troops carrier of the state police was torched at Charar-e-Sharief in Budgam district, he said.

Fresh violence erupted in Kashmir yesterday, leaving 17 dead, including a policeman and over 70 injured with mobs torching several government properties and a private school after a television report alleged desecration of a holy book in the US.

The state cabinet yesterday condemned the alleged act of desecration and made a fervent appeal to the people not to take law in their own hands.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had yesterday voiced concern over the ongoing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir. He also sought to reach out to the people in the state, saying their grievances have to be addressed and promised talks within the Indian Constitution with those who abjure violence.