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Militant killings: Communication blockade enforced in Pulwama, thousands march for funerals
Srinagar: Thousands of people are marching towards the native villages of three militants who died fighting Indian armed forces on Thursday morning.
Shariq @ Hanzala, Majad Mir @ Abass, both residents of Kakapora Pulwama, and Irshad Ahmad of Aghanzpur Awantipora died in an encounter with the armed forces in Kakpora area of Pulwama district.
Pulwama is almost forty kilometers from Srinagar in its south.
The trio belonged to Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant outfit.
In a joint military operation launched by the Indian army, CRPF, and J&K police on late Wednesday evening, the militants were killed.
They were staying in a house in New Colony area of Kakpora which was blasted and razed to ground by using heavy ammunition by the armed forces.
As soon as the news spread in the area that three militants, who belonged to the same district, died fighting forces, thousands of people including children, women and men marched towards Padagampora and Kakapora to have the last glimpse of the slain trio.
Fearing spread of the pro-freedom demonstrations, the government immediately ordered closure of schools and colleges in the district.
The security grid also snapped the internet services last night in the whole area while as vital Srinagar-Jammu highway was closed for traffic as people in massive numbers are on way to Padgampora.
District administration Pulwama in an order issued said that strict restrictions have been imposed in Kakapora, Awantipora and Pulwama town in the aftermath of killing of three LeT militants.
“Restrictions have been imposed in Kakapora, Awantipora and Pulwama town as a precautionary measure, in view of prevailing law and order situation,” said a statement, issued by District Magistrate Pulwama.
Passengers travelling to Srinagar from south of Kashmir complained that there were no passenger vehicles available. “I have come from a place where three militants just died, situation is tough and whole area is affected (due to protests),” said a passenger who belonged to Pulwama district and was on his way to Lal Chowk.
Srinagar based defence spokesperson, Col Rajesh Kalia, said that three militants were killed from whom three rifles were also recovered.
