SRINAGAR: Authorities on Monday imposed curfew-like restrictions in parts of South Kashmir while as additional deployment of forces as made in rest of Valley to thwart any protests against the killing of two civilians and four militants who were killed on Sunday in Frisal area of Kulgam district.
At least twenty persons were injured, of whom later on one person succumbed, when forces opened live ammunition to stop people from helping militants in Frisal village of Kulgam district on Sunday.
Forces had launched search operation during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday after they suspected presence of militants in a house. The encounter started early Sunday which ended by noon. Two of Indian army soldiers were also killed in the gun battle.
However, massive participation of people in the funeral procession led to massive protests and clashes during which over two dozen people were injured.
Later in the day, the united resistance leadership including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, called for a shutdown today and asked people to march towards Kulgam on Wednesday.
Following the strike call, routine life across Valley remained paralysed as people preferred to stay indoors while as public transport was off the roads, however, there was thin movement of some cabs and min-buses in some parts of summer capital. Major markets in Srinagar and elsewhere remained closed and streets were deserted.
Police said that curfew-like restrictions were imposed in some parts of south Kashmir since Monday morning.
Strict restrictions were imposed in Kulgam and Shopian and many other parts of the South Kashmir to thwart possible protests.
However, clashes between protesters and armed forces were reported from many parts of Valley including Natipora in Srinagar, Qaimouh in Kulgam, Pulwama, Bandipora and Palhallan in Baramulla district.
Authorities had made additional deployment of police and paramilitary forces to prevent any untoward happening across Valley.
In north Kashmirs Baramulla district reports came, a complete shutdown was observed and situation remains under control.
In Kupwara, a complete shutdown was observed, business establishments in Kralapora, Trehgam, Lolab, Karalgund, Langate and Handwara remains closed and roads gave deserted look.
In Bandipora, reports came that amid complete shutdown, youth fought pitched battles with the armed forces in many areas of the district. However, there was no report of any casualty.
Deputy Inspector general of police for South Kashmir, S P Pani, told a news gathering agency – KNS – that situation across the south Kashmir remained normal and situation was under control. However, he added, there was no curfew, but section 144 was imposed in some areas.
Kashmir police chief, SJM Geelani said, situation across the valley remained under control and peaceful.
Situation was normal, not any problematic situation arose anywhere, Gilani said.
FIR Lodged Against Rumour Mongers
J&K police on Monday lodged a case against rumour mongers for spreading the false and fabricated stories regarding health status of those who were injured in Sundays Kulgam encounter.
Some people are giving false updates on some Wts App groups and on the Facebook pages regarding death of some injured person, police said in a statement. In this regard it is clarified that all injured persons are stable and there is no report of any injured person succumbing. The update is misleading and is as such refuted.
In this connection, an FIR number 12 under section 505 RPC, 67 IT Act has been registered in Police Station Kulgam against the rumour mongers for spreading the false and fabricated stories on social networking sites, the police statement added.
Militants Preferred Death Than Surrender: UJC
Condemning the civilian killings in Kulgam district, United Jihad Council (UJC) on Monday paid tributes to the four militants who were killed in the encounter that raged between forces and militants on Sunday.
In an e-mailed statement issued to KNS, the UJC spokesperson, Syed Sadaqat Hussain while quoting the outfit chief, Syed Salah-ud-din as saying, the militants sacrificed their lives during fighting with the Indian forces, which has saddened the Kashmir nation. But theses sacrifices will open the gate of freedom.
While speaking in a meeting, the UJC chief said, the sacrifices rendered by the martyrs will be remembered forever and a goal for which they sacrificed their lives cant be ignored.
Without having enough ammunition, the militants preferred to die rather than surrender and one day it will lead to the occupier to bow before us, he said.
The UJC Chief said, coward and brute Indian forces are targeting the innocent Kashmiris, which exposes their frustrated.
India has failed to suppress the voice of Kashmiris despite using all the means to suppress to suppress it. The armed will continue till the (goal) freedom wont be achieved.
Encounter Proof That Demonetisation Failed: Punjab Congress
A day after four militants were killed in Kashmir, Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday said despite the Narendra Modi governments claims, note ban has failed to check flow of terrorists and fake currency from Pakistan.
In a statement, Amarinder said Sundays encounter in Kashmir and reports of Pakistan pushing fake Rs 2,000 currency into India via Bangladesh were proof that the ill-conceived note ban decision was not helping curb terror as claimed by Modi.
Stronger and sterner measures were needed to ensure foolproof border security if the nation and its people were to be guarded against frequent external assaults, he said.
Army Pays Tribute To Its Soldiers
Army on Monday paid homage to two of its soldiers – Lance Naik Bhandoriya Gopal Sinh Munimsinh and Sepoy Raghubeer Singh – who were killed in a gun battle with militants in Frisal area of Kulgam district in South Kashmir on Sunday.
Major General KK Pant, Chief of Staff Chinar Corps laid wreaths on behalf of the Corps Commander and all ranks of the Corps at Badami Bagh Cantt in Srinagar, said an army spokesperson in a statement to KNS.
Tributes were also paid by officials from civil administration and other security agencies that included the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, IG Police and Joint Director IB, he added.
The spokesperson said that 33-year-old Lance Naik B Gopal who hailed from village Gokulchand Chali Chamanpura in Ahmedabad, Gujrat and served in the Army for 14 years is survived by his wife Smt B Hemavati.
He said Sepoy Raghubeer Singh was 31-year-old and had served for 13 years. He belonged to village Makholi in Chamoli, Uttarakhand and is survived by his wife Smt Rekha and a six-year-old son.
The mortal remains of the slain soldiers are being taken to their native places for last rites, the spokesperson added.
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