The strike is being observed on the call of the All Parties hurriyat Conference.

While the valley presented a deserted picture, the Indian army arrested atleast 700 youths in a crackdown to prevent any protest. Security has been beefed up in Srinagar and adjoining areas with additional troops being deployed.

The visit by Modi is his first since the special status of Kashmir, guaranteed by article 370, was revoked in 2019.

The article split the territory into two parts, Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, and put it under direct rule from Delhi. It opened up Kashmir to land ownership by people not from the region.

Modi will address a rally in the disputed region as well.

Kashmir, one of the most militarised places in the world, has been a continuous source of conflcit between India and Pakistan. The countries have fought multiple wars over the region.