Conflict

Militant killings aftermath: Mirwaiz Kashmir placed under house arrest as Srinagar simmers

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Authorities on Monday placed Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest to prevent him from leading any protests against the killings of three militants in a gunfight.

A spokesperson of the amalgam said Mirwaiz has been put under house arrest at his Nigeen residence this morning.

Three militants were killed in a gunfight in Hakoora area of Anantnag district earlier today. One of the militants, Eesa Fazli, is said to be a resident of Soura, Srinagar.

Police in a statement said, “Pursuing credible leads of presence of militants, security forces started search in the Hakoora area of Anantnag district. While the search was going on the hiding militants fired upon the search party. The fire was retaliated by the security forces ensuing an encounter.”

“In the said encounter, 3 militants were killed which include Eesa Fazli of Srinagar, Syed Owais of Kokernag and a third militant whose identity is being ascertained.”

SSP Anantnag Altaf Khan said the third militant was apparently a foreigner. “His identity is being ascertained,” he told Greater Kashmir.

The gunfight, according to sources, had started around 1:15 am at Hakoora-Badsgam in Dooru area of the district. Fazili and Shafi were studying engineering at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University in Rajouri before joining militancy.

In the aftermath of the militant killings, Authorities have ordered the closure of all schools and colleges in Srinagar on Monday. An official said that restrictions were imposed in parts of Downtown Srinagar and Soura area.

The university of Kashmir has also decided to suspend all classwork and postpone all scheduled exams. The varsity has also postponed the interviews of contractual lecturers which were scheduled for Monday.

Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora has also postponed all the scheduled exams. A spokesperson said that fresh dates will be notified.

The Board of School Education, in a statement also said that all exams have been postponed.

Meanwhile, high speed internet has been suspended in Srinagar and south Kashmir districts. Massive clashes were reported from Anantnag district against the killings of three militants in a gunfight with the government forces earlier today.

Reports said that youth took to streets and staged massive protests in Anantnag town and Kokernag area of the district.

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