In two separate gunfights in Anantnag and Budgam districts, three militants, including a top Lashkar commander and an armed forces personnel were killed on Thursday. A civilian, identified as Saleem Malik was killed by the armed forces during a cordon and search operation in Noorbagh area of Qammarwari in Srinagar.
A top commander of Lashkar-e-Toiba, Asif Malik alias Abu Ukasha of Khahgund Verinag and an army man were killed in a shootout following an army ambush in Gasigund village of Dooru in Anantnag district. Two army men were wounded in the shootout.
The slain army man was identified as Happy Singh and the injured as Bupinder Singh and Kulwant Singh of 19 RR.
In another gunfight in Panzan village of Budgam district, two militants were killed. The cops said that the identity of the militants is yet to ascertained.
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.
