Kashmir Unrest: 2 Killed in Fresh Protests as Toll Climbs to 78

13 Sep, 2016 16:34 IST|Sakshi

Security personnel try to defend themselves from stone-pelting protesters in Kashmir.

Srinagar: Two youths were killed on Tuesday while several others were injured as fresh clashes broke out between security forces and stone-pelting protesters in Kashmir where authorities have imposed curfew in all 10 districts. Soon after Eid prayers ended in Bandipora, a group of protesters started hurling stones at security forces who retaliated by firing tear smoke shells and pellet guns, a police official said. He said 20-year-old Murtaza Ahmed was hit by a tear smoke shell resulting in his death. Several others were injured in the security forces’ action in Bandipora town. Clashes were also reported from South Kashmir after a youth, Shahid Ahmed, was killed during fresh protests at Bonpora in Shopian district, another police official said. With these deaths, the toll in the ongoing agitation in Kashmir has risen to 78.

Poonch Encounter Continues on Third Day

For the third day on Tuesday, security forces continued to be engaged in an encounter with militants who are holed up in the under-construction Mini Secretariat in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. One or two militants are expected to be in the complex. The operation is on. The building has two floors and several rooms and terrorists are taking benefit of it by firing from different areas, a senior Army officer said. Four militants have already been killed in the encounter which began at around 7.30 am on Sunday.

Security personnel at the ongoing encounter site in Poonch on Tuesday.

A policeman also lost his life in the initial firing by the militants before they took shelter in a house and the Mini Secretariat. Last night, two security men were injured when the forces attempted to storm the complex. Talking to reporters here after visiting Poonch, DGP K Rajendra Kumar said, “There might be a group of 4 to 6 militants involved in this incident. We have recovered bodies of two militants. Two more militants have been killed. We feel one or two militants are still alive.” He said that militants had come with full preparation to disturb peace in the border district as there is calm and communal harmony in the area. Militants infiltrating a day before Eid is clearly pointing towards the fact they had come here to disturb peace on Eid, Kumar said.

Constable Injured in Kashmir I-day Attack Dies at AIIMS

After battling for life for nearly three weeks, a constable of Jammu and Kashmir police, injured during an attack by militants on Independence Day, succumbed to injuries here this morning. 26-year-old Rouf Ahmad Bhat was shifted to AIIMS Trauma Centre from Srinagar on August 17 along with two CRPF personnel and had since then been on ventilator, state officials said. A resident of Srinagar city, Bhat was operated on Monday night after his lungs developed a severe infection. However, he developed a severe respiratory problem during the night and breathed his last at 5 am on Tuesday, the officials said.

Security checks at Bakhshi Stadium, the venue of the Independence Day celebrations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Bhat had sustained injuries in the terror attack in Srinagar’s Nowhatta area. CRPF’s Commanding Officer and two militants were killed while nine security personnel were injured when militants attacked security forces at Nowhatta in downtown Srinagar on the Independence Day. Special Director General (Coordination and Law and Order) S P Vaid condoled Bhat’s death and said such supreme sacrifices by young boys will not go in vain.

PTI