SRINAGAR: Clashes erupted at multiple places after the killing of top Lashkar-i-Toiba commander Abu Dujana and his associate in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.
Dujana, who escaped on numerous occasions despite being trapped during nine years of his stay in Kashmir Valley, was finally killed in the encounter with army, SOG and CRPF at Hakdipora area in Newa village of Pulwama district this morning.
Police official told PTK that the cordon-and-search operation was launched during pre-dawn hours in the area following specific information about the presence of Dujana and his associates.
As the joint team was zeroing in on the target house, the militants opened fire which was retaliated, triggering off a gunfight in which Abu Dujana and his two associates were killed also the house was razed to rubble, both the bodies have been recovered.
Soon after the news about the encounter spread in the area, the people mostly youth took to streets at multiple places near the encounter site and started pelting stones on forces. The police and paramilitary CRPF used tear smoke shells and fired some shots to disperse the protesters.
In the incident, a youth namely Jehangir Ahmad of Kakpora received bullet injuries and at least six others sustained pellet wounds. All the injured have been hospitalized.
In Pulwama more than 3 dozen civilians were injured in clashes following the killing of two militants, including top LeT commander Abu Dujana.
Medical Superintendent of the hospital Dr Abdul Rashid Parra told PTK that a nurse and a student were injured. “Both of them are stable,” he said.
The nurse, identified as Gulzara, suffered an injury in her leg while the student, identified as Omaisa, was hit in her hand.
Reports said that forces opened fire after stones were hurled at them following the killing of a civilian in forces’ firing on protesters during clashes after the killing of two militants in a gunfight.
In Srinagar, intense clashes erupted in city centre Lalchwok on Tuesday afternoon as soon as the news about the killing of Lashkar commander Abu Dujana spread.
Students of SP Higher Secondary school and Kothi Bagh Higher Secondary school appeared in the city centre and pelted stones on Forces.
Initially, the students pelted stones on CRPF bunker outside Telegraph office. This led to chaos in the city centre.
Meanwhile, student protests have also erupted in many parts of Srinagar. However massive protests rocked the University of Kashmir campus. Reports said that hundreds of students are marching through the varsity campus.
In Kulgam, hundreds of students of Government Degree College Kulgam on Tuesdayheld protests raising pro-Abu Dujana slogans and carrying Pakistan flags, reports said.
Boycotting their classes, the students came out to the gate of the College and started raising pro-Dujana slogans.
In Shopian, at least four protesters were injured after government forces fired pellets to disperse the protesting students of Government Boy’s Higher Secondary School.
The students came out of the School and marched towards the four way raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. They were intercepted by forces near the four way triggering clashes.
Meanwhile Medical Superintendent District Hospital Shopian, Dr Nazir Ahmad told PTK that they received 4 injured students with pellet injuries.
When reports last came in, the stone pelting clashes amid pro-freedom slogans were going on in parts of the southern district.
Meanwhile, in wake of the gunfight, authorities have blocked internet services including 2G/3G/4G in Pulwama district.
Soon after shutdown began in Anantnag, Sopare after the news of Killing of Dujana spread. Youth came out on the streets fighting pitched battles with paramilitary troopers. The youth shouted slogans in favour of to LeT commander, Abu Dujana.
Police asked its ranks to remain vigilant and alert to tackle any situation that may arise following the killing of Lashkar-i-Toiba’s top commander Abu Dujana in an encounter with government forces in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.
All the police officers in Kashmir division have been directed by the top brass to remain in a state of alert and tackle any situation by ensuring least harm to the public following Dujan’s death.
They said the ranks have been specifically asked to ensure there are no civilian causalities in controlling the protests that may erupt against the killing.
LeT Commander Abu Dujana who carries Rs 15 lakh bounty killed in Kashmir gunfight along with a local militant identified as Arif Lelhari in the gunfight that took place in Hakripora village.
“LeT Chief Commander Abu Dujana of Pakistan along with his accomplice killed in Hakripora Pulwama. Huge achievement for police & SF,” tweeted Jammu and Kashmir police.
Two houses in the village were blasted by the forces during the gunfight.
Dujana was wanted in over three dozen attacks on government forces and carried a reward of Rs 15 lakh.
He was the most wanted militant commander in the state.
Soon after the clashes started everywhere after the news spread about the killing of Lashkar Divisional commander Abu Dujana in Hakripora encounter.
The conditions are very tense and police is letting no stone unturned to maintain law and order apart from property loss.
Meanwhile Authorities have ordered closure of all colleges and schools in Kashmir in the wake of the killings of a civilian and militants, including LeT commander Abu Dujana.
“As a precautionary measure all the colleges and schools of Kashmir valley are hereby closed for today on 01-08-2017,” reads the order issued by Divisional Commissioner Baseer Ahmed Khan. (PTK)
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