Normal life came to a grinding halt in Kashmir Valley on Monday in response to a shutdown call by separatists against a spree of terrorist and civilian killings. The terrorists launched attacks at three villages in Tral sub-district of south Kashmir targeting mainstream political workers a day ahead of the fourth phase of panchayat polls.
The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik had called for daylong shutdown against the killing of 18 persons in a span of three days in the Valley during separate incidents of violence. They included 13 terrorists belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Tayyeba outfits.
Shops, business establishments, schools and colleges remained closed and vehicular movement was affected in most parts of the Valley.
The authorities deployed police and paramilitary personnel in strength to prevent any possible protest against the killings.
Officials said the situation remained peaceful throughout the Valley. The train services were suspended by the railway authorities in view of the security concerns.
The JRL has called for shutdown on Tuesday in the areas going for polls in the fourth phase of nine-phased Panchayat elections, appealing people to stay away from the polls.
Meanwhile, terrorists hurled a grenade towards the residence of a Congress leader at Batagund village of Tral in south Kashmir. Sources said terrorists lobbed a grenade towards Ghulam Muhammad Mir’s house who has contested assembly elections unsuccessfully in 2008.
Sources said that militants also struck at Pinglish and Kuchmulla villages targeting a panchayat election candidate and a security petrol.