India-controlled Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has pardoned policeman Abdul Ahad Jan, who threw a shoe at him during Indian independence day function, a government statement said Wednesday.

Abdullah has directed the police to withdraw cases against Jan for his act, which otherwise could have seen him imprisoned.

"The Holy month of Ramzan teaches us to be compassionate and to forgive everyone. My steps are in conformity with the teachings of Islam which does not teach hatred but only love and brotherhood," Abdullah said.

The government spokesman Wednesday said Omar called Jan to his residence and gave him "patient hearing".

Jan, the shoe-thrower had managed his entry to the VIP lounge -- reserved for ministers, top civil and police officials -- in the highly guarded Bakshi stadium, the venue for ceremony in Srinagar, the summer capital of India-controlled Kashmir.

Jan hurled the shoe toward Abdullah breaching tight security cover around him, flailing black flag and shouting, "We want freedom". However, the shoe missed the intended target (Omar Abdullah) and fell close to dais.

Jan however was immediately arrested and is in police custody.

Police spokesman earlier described Jan as "mentally unsound" and said he was suspended from the service and was facing criminal charges.

Authorities citing security breach suspended 15 police officials in connection with shoe hurling incident. The suspended officials according to the police officer were responsible for frisking and checking passes outside the VIP gallery.

Jan's act was seen an episode of "bravery" as thousands of people thronged his residence at Ajas-40-km north of Srinagar city.

For the past two months public protests are going across the region against New Delhi's rule and killing of civilians in police firing.

Around 60 civilians, mostly teenagers were killed in violence since June 11.

The deaths have pushed the region back on the edge and built pressure on the region's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah whom critics say is unable to control the situation.

Meanwhile, curfew Wednesday remained in place in most towns of the region including Srinagar city. The reports of protests and clashes were received from various places in Srinagar.

The strict restrictions were enforced by thousands of policemen and India's paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel deployed along the streets and roads of Srinagar city and elsewhere in towns. The police and paramilitary troopers had laid barricades and concertina wire on the roads and intersections of the city to prevent movement of people and vehicles.

Life across Muslim majority areas of Indian-controlled Kashmir remained affected either due to strike calls from separatists or curfew imposed by authorities for the past two months.

The hardline separatist alliance Hurriyat Conference is running a "Quit Kashmir movement" in the region and is rolling out strike program week after week.

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