3 Kashmir militants killed, migrant worker shot dead

SRINAGAR: Security forces killed three separatist fighters, while suspected militants shot dead a migrant worker on one of the bloodiest days in Kashmir since New Delhi revoked the region’s autonomy and special status more than two months ago.

The killings on Wednesday were the first since mobile telephone services were restored as part of gradual relaxation of security measures taken to curb violent unrest in Jammu and Kashmir state.

The government had cut off telephone and Internet lines before it revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special rights on August 5, striking down longstanding constitutional provisions for the region.

A security lockdown is still largely in place, and broadband and mobile Internet connections remain unavailable to most Kashmiris.

The militants killed on Wednesday died during a gun battle after soldiers, acting on a tip-off, raided a village in south Kashmir, two police sources said. “Three terrorists were killed and the bodies were retrieved from the site of the encounter,” Kashmir police said in a statement. “Incriminating material, including arms and ammunition, was recovered.”

Neither the soldiers or police, who were also present, suffered casualties, according to the police sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to talk to the media.

Security forces imposed travel restrictions near the site of the gun battle to prevent unrest, the sources said.

In a separate incident south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, suspected militants shot dead a migrant worker from Chhattisgarh state, in an execution-style killing, police said.

Sagar, who worked as a labourer at brick kiln, was walking along a railway track in the Kakapora area when he was stopped by two people. “He was shot in the head,” a police official said, declining to be named.

THE KILLINGS ON WEDNESDAY WERE THE FIRST SINCE MOBILE TELEPHONE SERVICES WERE RESTORED

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