On a day when notification was issued for filing nominations for the third phase of Assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir, the ghost of violence returned to Kashmir valley killing four people, including two militants. The violence occurred in south Kashmir’s Kulgam pocket and north Kashmir’s Handwara area.
In Kulgam, a prolonged encounter between militants and security forces culminated in the death of two local militants. While the security forces were withdrawing from the area after succeeding in killing two militants, they were intercepted by protesting villagers. Sources said that the security forces opened fire on the protesters killing 18-year-old Tariq Ahmad Bhat. The killing sparked massive protests in the area.
Defence sources said that security forces had specific intelligence about presence of militants in Chinnigam village near Frisal area of Kulgam that prompted them to launch a joint operation. The joint party of police, CRPF and Rashtriya Rifles cordoned off the area on Thursday afternoon. Soon after the village was encircled, the security forces established contact with the holed-up militants.
The militants remained holed up for 21 hours though exchange of fire stopped during the night. The encounter resumed at the crack of dawn on Friday resulting into the death of both militants. Two soldiers and a CRPF man have been wounded in the encounter. They were shifted to 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar for treatment.
“Bodies of two terrorists were recovered from the site along with one AK 47 & one INSAS Rifles, ammunition and other warlike stores.
The operation has been called off and bodies of the terrorists handed over to the police”, Defence spokesman said.
The slain militants were identified as Mohammad Abbas Malik and Manzoor Ahmad Malla, both local residents.
Sources said that when the security forces were withdrawing from the area, they were intercepted by a group of slogan-shouting people who demanded bodies of slain militants. Some of the protesters pelted stones on the security vehicles.
Sources said that infuriated security personnel opened fire on the protesters. One bullet hit 18-year old Tariq Ahmad Bhat, who succumbed to injuries on way to hospital.
In another incident, a mysterious blast killed a civilian in north Kashmir’s Handwara pocket on Friday afternoon. Police said that two persons residing a motorbike were carrying a grenade that exploded at Kalamabad village. Both riders got knocked down after the blast and one of them later died.
Significantly, the incidents took place on a day when the process of filing nomination papers for the second phase of J&K elections ended and notification was issued for the third phase of polling.
The J&K is scheduled to go for 5-phased Assembly polls starting November 25. As many as 123 candidates have filed nominations in the first phase.
The polling for the third phase would take place for 16 constituencies on December 9.
The notification was issued by respective returning officers of the 16 Assembly segments, all in the Kashmir valley.
The constituencies include Uri, Rafiabad, Sopore, Sangrama, Baramulla, Gulmarg and Pattan in Baramulla district; Chadoora, Budgam, Beerwah, Khansahib and Chrar-e-Sharief in Budgam district and Tral, Pampore, Pulwama and Rajpora in Pulwama district.
The last date for filing of nominations is November 21 while the scrutiny of papers shall be conducted the next day. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is November 24.