KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
A complete shutdown was observed in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district against the killing of two militants and a civilian on Monday in an encounter with government forces.
The two militants identified as Javaid Ahmad Bhat alias Abu Jaffar son of Abdul Rehman of Rudwani Balla and Idrees Ahmad Negroo son of Ghulam Hassan of Badroo Yaripora were killed in 15-hour long gunfight. Two army personnel were also injured during the fire fight.
During the encounter, the locals staged massive anti-India and pro-freedom protests and made several attempts to give a safe passage to militants by chasing and resorting to heavy stone pelting on government forces including army and police’s Special Operation Group (SOG).
Locals had alleged that during protests, the police fired at protesters leaving several of them injured including Asif Tantray who later succumbed triggering more violence. Police, however, said he was hit by a “stray bullet”.
Meanwhile, all the shops, commercial establishments and educational institutes were shut in entire Kulgam district against the deaths. Hurriyat Conference headed by Syed Ali Geelani had on Monday called for the shutdown in Kulgam district.
Witnesses said authorities had deployed large number of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personal across the district particularly in Kudwani, Rudwani, Qaimoh and Yaripora areas.
However, despite large deployment of forces, the youth resorted to stone-throwing at Qaimoh on a CRPF camp ensuing clashes which continued for several hours.
Government on Monday said that a “time-bound” magisterial enquiry has been ordered to ascertain the facts which led to civilian killing and damage to property.
