Civilians killed during violent weekend in Kashmir
SRINAGAR: Indian security forces killed at least three civilians and wounded about 70 in restive Kashmir yesterday when hundreds of people tried to prevent them from carrying out operations against suspected militants, police and residents said.
At least 17 other people, including 13 suspected militants, were killed in gunbattles during the day in southern Kashmir, police officials said, the worst violence in the region this year.
When hundreds of people came out on the streets of Kachdoora village in Shopian district to try to halt a gunbattle between militants and security forces, troops used tear gas and pellet guns to disperse the crowd. They later opened fire.
Local residents said security forces called off the operation after the protests.
Police said five militants and three soldiers were killed in the fighting.
Muslim separatists have been waging a violent campaign against Indian rule since the late 1980s in Indianheld Kashmir.
Fighting also broke out in two other villages in the region yesterday.
State directorgeneral of police S. P. Vaid said the army received information on Sunday about militants hiding in an area near Dragad village, about 50km south of Kashmir’s capital, Srinagar, and also in Shopian district.
‘‘In Dragad, seven bodies of militants were recovered, including top commanders. They were killed in a gunbattle,’’ Vaid said, adding the owner of the house in which the militants were trapped was also killed.
Another militant was killed in Dialgam village in Anantnag district, about 60km south of Srinagar, he said.
Authorities have directed schools and colleges in Kashmir to remain closed today to prevent any recurrence of violence, and restrictions have been imposed in several areas.
Train services to south Kashmir have been suspended as a precautionary measure, a railways official said, and internet services in five districts have also been blocked.