SHUTDOWN IN VALLEY

SRINAGAR: Kashmir witnessed a complete shutdown against the killing of two militants and a civilian in an encounter in the old city on Wednesday.

The call for strike was given by the Joint Resistance Leadership led by three separatist leaders, Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, against the killings of militants and a civilian.

Additional troops were deployed in the old city and restrictions were imposed in several parts of the city. The train services between Baramulla and Banihal remained suspended. There was also thin traffic on the city roads and internet which was snapped soon after the encounter was not restored.

Two militants, both residents of the old city, a civilian and a policeman were killed in an encounter at Fateh Kadal in the old city. After the news militant and civilian killing spread on Wednesday, clashes broke out in different parts of the city. The militants and civilians were buried at Eidgah late on Wednesday.

The militants were identified as Mehraj Bangroo and Fahad Waza, while the civilian was identified as Rayees Ahmad Shah, son of the house owner where militants were hiding according to the police.

Shah who was running a bakery is survived by a son and wife. His family alleged that he was used as a human shield by police when they entered into the house.

The police, however, claim that Shah was an overground worker and police are investigating his role.