Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 12: Three militants including the one who was accused in the lynching of a police officer in Jamia Masjid area of Srinagar were today killed in an encounter in Magam area of Central Kashmir’s district of Budgam.
Police said that acting on specific information, police along with 2 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a cordon and search operation in Redbug area of Magam last evening.. “During the search operation, militants fired upon the joint search party. The militants were asked to surrender through their family members but they denied and fired indiscriminately. The fire was retaliated, ensuing an encounter,” said the official.
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The killed militants were identified as Aaqib Gul son of Ghulam-ud-din Dar resident of Gooripora Sanatnagar, Budgam; Javaid Ahmad Sheikh son of Wali Mohammad Sheikh resident of Churpora Beerwah Budgam and Sajad Ahmad Gilkar son of Nazir Ahmad resident of Malaratta Nowhatta, Srinagar.
Police said these militants were affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen but some reports suggest that they were members of the militant group headed by Zakir Musa. Two security personnel were also injured during the encounter who were shifted to hospital for treatment.
Police said the trio was involved in recent weapon snatching incidents that occurred in the South and Central Kashmir. “They were also involved in antinational activities, unlawful activities, damaging of Government property and stone pelting incidents,” said the police official.
Police said that Sajad Gilkar played key role in the murder of DySP Mohammad Ayoub Pandith of Security wing, who was lynched at Jamia Masjid Nowhatta last month. “After the incident, Gilkar went underground and joined HM militant ranks”, police said.
“He was also involved in grenade attacks on CRPF at Nowhatta on 02.04.2017, CRPF camp Safa Kadal on 11.06.2017 and grenade attack on Police Party at Khanyar on 30.04.2017. He was involved in attack on Abdul Qayoom in Barzulla on 24.05.2017 and Army convoy near SKIMS Bemina on 01.04.2017,” the police added. The police official said that Javaid Sheikh was involved in a number of attacks on Government forces including police in Central Kashmir.
Thousands of people today attended the funeral of these militants and massive clashes erupted in parts of Srinagar amid curfew like restrictions.
Soon after the news about the killing of Sajad, a resident of Mallaratta Nowhatta in downtown spread, hundreds of youth took to streets in Old City areas and clashed with police and CRPF. The security forces enforced curfew in the morning and the entire old city was sealed off.
Despite curfew like restrictions, hundreds of youth came out in protest and clashed with security forces at Bohri Kadal and other areas. The clashes left dozens of protesters injured due to pellets and teargas shells.
One Owais of Rainawari was hit by bullet in his chest and was rushed to hospital for treatment. Soon after the body of Sajad arrived, protests broke out at Mallarata, Pandan and Nowhatta.
The protesters tried to march towards Jama Masjid but police swung into action and fired teargas and pellets on funeral procession. The funeral was later offered at nearby playground in which thousands participated. This was followed by stone-pelting clashes across downtown till evening.
Spontaneous shutdown was observed in central and uptown Srinagar parts against the killing of militants. The traffic was also partially affected due to the strike.
In Hyderpora, thousands of people attended funeral of Aqib and police fired teargas to quell the protests that broke out in the area. Security forces had also imposed restrictions in the area.
Amid tense situation, the mobile internet services were blocked in parts of Central Kashmir and North Kashmir.
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