Civilian killed in firing on protesters after 5 militants shot dead in Valley
Since Tuesday, forces have killed nine militants in Kashmir and three in Jammu region
SRINAGAR: A young man was killed and nearly a dozen others were injured Saturday as the security forces in Kashmir opened fire on protesters following an encounter with the local militants in Kulgam district in which five members of Lashkar-e-taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen were killed, police said.
Police termed the killing of five militants as “a success” and said that the five had been “involved” in killings of policemen, and bank guards during robberies.
An officer said groups clashed with the security forces which were engaged in “counter-militancy operation” at the Chowgam area of Qazigund in Kulgam.
He said security forces had to use tear gas shells, pellets and open fire to quell the protests.
Over 10 people were injured and were taken to the district hospital in Anantnag for treatment, the officer said, adding that out of those injured, six, including four with pellet injuries in the eyes, were referred to a hospital in Srinagar, but one Rouf Ahmad, a resident of Anchidora in Anantnag, succumbed to his injuries on the way near Sangam.
Following the killing of militants, shutdown was observed in both Kulgam and Anantnag districts, and internet services were suspended while rail service between Srinagar and Banihal was also halted.
Medical Superintendent of Sher-i-kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Dr Farooq Jan told Hindustan Times that the injured are being evaluated.
“One had pellet injuries and others had bullet injuries.’’ Army spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia said five LET and HM militants, including the one involved in the last year’s deadly attack on a cash van in which five officers and two bank guards lost their lives, were killed in the encounter which began in the morning.
Police identified the five militants as Gulzar Ahmad Padder alias Saif, Faisal Ahmad Rather alias Dawood, Zahid Ahmad Mir alias Hashim, Masroor Molvi alias Abu Darda, and Zahoor Ahmad Lone alias Rehman Bhai.
Since Tuesday, forces have killed nine militants in Kashmir and three in Jammu region in four separate operations.
The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), an alliance of separatist leaders of Kashmire, has called for a shutdown on Monday against the killing of the civilian.