Over 25 injured in clashes, train service suspended, Hurriyat call for shutdown
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar: Three Civilians, militant killed during an encounter and clashes in Chadoora area of District Budgam. The security forces took action against stone-pelting protesters near the encounter site in Chadoora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Security forces had launched a cordon and search operation in Durbugh area of Chadoora in the wee hours following information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said. He said the search operation turned into a gunbattle after militants opened fire on security forces.
As the security forces were engaged in the exchange of firing with holed-up militants, a large number of protesters started pelting stones at the law enforcing agencies, the official said. The two youth later succumbed to injuries. The official said one person was hit by a bullet in the neck and rushed to a hospital. He succumbed to injuries on way. Another person also lost his life.
A third civilian was killed near encounter site, police said.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG), central Kashmir Range, Ghulam Hassan Bhat said that “a militant was killed in an encounter and one Army man was also injured in this encounter”.
After this incident, Police and Forces restored to tear gas shelling to disperse protesters who pelted stones on them. Soon after the news that a local militant Touseef Ahmad Wagay S/O Ghulam Qadir Wagay, has been killed in an encounter with the Government forces in Chadoora reached the area, protesters hit the streets.
According to locals Touseef, the militant who was killed in Chadoora encounter was a resident of Kanjikulla, Village of Yaripora area in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
“Three civilians were also killed during the clashes that erupted during the encounter in the area,” the DIG said.
The youths who were killed were identified as Zahid Rashid Ganie S/O Abdul Rashid Ganie R/O Chadoora, Sakib Ahmad from Wathoora Budgam and Ashfaq Ahmad, a resident of Rangreth.
Meanwhile, the reports said that over 25 civilians were injured during the clashes in the area that erupted after an encounter.
The injured youths who sustained pellet injuries were immediately rushed to SMHS Hospital for treatment.
“Dozens of security forces have received injuries during the clashes in the area”, said DIG CKR.
This gunfight had erupted at around 6am today in Durbugh village after forces cordoned off the area following inputs about the presence of militants.
The 10-hour-long gunfight in Durbugh village of Chadoora in Central Kashmir’s Budgam District has ended with the death of 3 civilians, 1 militant, army official said.
As per reports, stones were thrown on Convoy of Minister of State for Haj and Auqaf Syed Farooq Ahmad Andrabi at Dailgam Anantnag.
Terming these killings as highly unfortunate, the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said the people in Kashmir continue to suffer massive collateral damage due to violence in past three decades and so. “It is highly painful to see young boys losing their lives”, said Mehbooba Mufti.
Grieved over the lose of two precious young lives, NC President Dr. Farooq Abdullah along with Mr. Omar Abdullah extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the fast recovery of injured civilians.
“The time has come to understand that the political issue of Kashmir can’t be addressed through rhetoric, operational measures or development. There is no alternative to talks. You have to talk to the people of Kashmir and the stakeholders of all shades of opinion with an honest intent to resolve the political issue”, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said.
Meanwhile Resistance Camp calls for strike call tomorrow against Chadoora Civilian killings. He also called for peaceful protest after Friday Prayers.
Authorities has suspended train service for tomorrow on account of Strike call and prevailing situation. Meanwhile, the joint resistance leadership has called complete shutdown on Wednesday, March 29 against the civilian killings in Chadoora. Asking people to observe complete shutdown on March 29 and protests after Friday prayers on March 31, Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Omer Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik expressed their deep grief over killing of two youth near encounter site. Blaming Indian forces for their brutalities against civilians.
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