Among the two militants killed in the Budgam gunfight, police on Thursday said that a former SPO who had deserted the force a couple of months ago was also killed.
A police spokesman identified the two slain militants as Sheeraz Ahmad Bhat resident of Kralwari Chadoora and Irfan Ahmad Dar resident of Kakapora Pulwama. Both were affiliated with Hizb ul Mujahideen militant outfit, he said.
“Irfan Ahmad Dar was working as SPO and had deserted a couple of months ago,” he said.
The spokesman said that the militants fired on a search party from a nearby mosque and subsequently the area was taken into cordon.
“The local Auqaf Committee was engaged to convince the militants to come out. Security forces also appealed the militants to come out. However, the militants turned down the offer and consequently the operation had to be carried out in a deliberate manner keeping intact the sanctity of the mosque,” said the spokesman.
Massive clashes erupted in the area after the militant killings and several protesters have been injured in the clashes and many with pellet injuries have been referred to Srinagar for specialized treatment.
Earlier, a civilian, identified as Saleem Malik was killed by the armed forces during a cordon and search operation in Noorbagh area of Srinagar.
Senior PDP leader Altaf Bukhari termed the civilian killing as ‘cold blooded murder’.
He demanded an impartial probe at the highest level so that the culprits of this brutal killing are booked and brought to justice.
“Unfortunately some vested interests in security forces have become trigger happy and feel emboldened after every such incident in Kashmir. Like in any other part of the State, such forces with nefarious designs, want to shatter the semblance of peace and tranquility in Srinagar city,” he said.
