Authorities snap internet and cellular services after killing of 2 militants
Baramulla: Three militants were killed in a gunfight at Amargarh Sopore area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district. A police official said that acting on a specific information about the presence of militants in Jamia Mohalla, Amargarh locality of Police jurisdiction Tarzoo in Sopore, Police Sopore along with 52 RR, 92, 177, 179 BN CRPF cordoned off the area and launched the search operation.
The hiding militants opened fire on the joint search party, triggering an encounter. During encounter, three militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba were killed. Three AK 74 rifles and magazines recovered from the encounter site, police said.
Two of the slain militants have been identified as Javaid Ahmed Dar of Khanpora Baramulla, Abid Hamid Mir of Hajin and Danish Ahmed of Sopore. SP Sopore Harmeet Singh Mehta said that cordon and search operation was launched in the midnight while encounter culminated at 6 in the morning.
Shortly after the encounter, clashes erupted clashes erupted in different parts of North Kashmir. The three slain militants belonged to Lashkar-e-Toiba, police said. Authorities snapped cellular and internet services and ordered the closure of schools and colleges in Sopore and Baramulla.
They said that educational institutions were also shut in Handwara, Hajin and Sumbal areas of north Kashmir. Cellular and mobile Internet services excluding Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), were also been suspended following the killing of three LeT militants.
The services were suspended as “precautionary measure” in Baramulla district. The mobile Internet services barring broadband remain down here in the district.
The killing of militants sparked protests at different places of Bandipora and Baramulla districts. At Sadarkoot Bala, Hajin, Bandipora, Khanpora Baramulla protesters clashed with government forces.
Locals said that as soon as the news of the killing of local militant killed in Sopore gunfight, reached, huge contingent of police and forces were deployed in Khanpora locality of Baramulla town.
They said all the entry and exit point of old town Baramulla were sealed by police and people were not allowed to move.
One of a slain militant killed in the encounter identified as Javed Ahmad Dar of Khanpora area of old town Baramulla.
Thousands of people participated in the funeral procession of Abid Hamid. Government forces retreated from the area when his body was brought to his native place. His funeral prayer was offered at a local Eidgah.
Reports said that Army resorted to firing at two separate places in North and South Kashmir injuring at least three civilians.At least three persons were wounded after Army opened fire on protesters at Sadarkoot Bala area of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
Witnesses said that people hit to streets to protest the killing of three militants in a gunfight with government forces in apple town Sopore.
The protesters pelted stones while the army reportedly fired upon them injuring three youth who have been identified as Hilal Ahmed Wani, Latief Ahmed Khan and Suhail Ahmed Bhat all residents of Saderkoot Bala. The injured have been shifted to hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, army fired warning shots in South Kashmir’s Anantang district when their cavalcade was stoned at Wanpoh, Harnag and Khanabal areas in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
(With inputs from CNS)
