Conflict
Kashmir shuts against killing of militant commander Zakir Musa, civilian
Kashmir valley is observing a complete shutdown against the killing of militant commander Zakir Musa and a civilian.
Most of the shops, fuel stations and other business establishments remained shut in the valley due to the strike called by Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani against the killing of Musa and a civilian Zahoor Ahmad, a resident of Naira Pulwama who was killed by unidentified gunmen on Thursday.
Public transport was off the roads, but few private cars and auto-rickshaws were seen plying.
Meanwhile, curfew continued in parts of the Kashmir valley on the second consecutive day. Curbs continued on the movement of people in parts of Srinagar, and Kulgam and Pulwama towns. Schools and colleges remained shut, while mobile Internet continued to be suspended across the valley. Trains on the Baramulla-Banihal line remained off the tracks due to the situation.
In Srinagar, the officials said, “strict restrictions” were in place in Nowhatta, Rainawari, Khanyar, Safakadal and M R Gung police station areas, while “partial restrictions” were in force in Maisuma and Kralkhud areas.
Musa, the head of the Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, was killed in the encounter at Dadsara village of Tral in the south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Friday after forces launched a search operation on late Thursday evening following specific information about the presence of militants there.
The officials said efforts were made to make Musa surrender, but he turned down the request and lobbed grenades on the forces using a launcher, triggering a gunfight in which Musa was killed in the early hours of Friday.
His killing led to spontaneous shutdown and protests in the valley.
