Normal life was affected in Kashmir Valley on Tuesday in response to a shutdown call against recent killings during a fierce encounter between security forces and militants in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Hundreds of people took part in funeral of three youngsters who were gunned down by unknown assailants late in the evening on Monday in north Kashmir’s Baramulla as widespread condemnation poured in against the brutal killings.
Shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed while attendance was affected in government offices due to scarcity of public transport.
Joint Resistance leadership (JRF), a grouping of prominent separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, had called for shutdown against the killing of a civilian and two militants in a gunfight in Drubgam village of Pulwama district on Monday.
Top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sameer Ahmad Bhat alias Tiger was killed along-with his associate during a gunfight in Drubgam village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Police said Tiger was a top-ranking militant involved in a number of attacks on security forces and political workers. A civilian youth Shahid was also killed in clashes near the gunfight site while around 20 civilians also sustained injuries in the clashes to disrupt counter militant operation. An Army Major was among two army personnel injured in the gunfight.
The authorities imposed restrictions on public movement in old Srinagar city areas falling in the jurisdiction of Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Maharaja Ranbir Gunj and Safa Kadal, Maisuma and Kralkhud police stations. Heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces personnel was made in south Kashmir districts and the downtown areas of Srinagar to foil any public protests.
The authorities restricted the movement of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq late on Tuesday evening apparently to prevent his participation in night-long prayers in Central Mosque during Shab-e-baraat, a sacred night observed by Muslims. The restrictions were later lifted. Train services between Banihal and Baramulla remained suspended as a preventive measure. The internet services in south Kashmir region have also been snapped while mobile internet speed in Srinagar and other areas has been slowed down.
Meanwhile despite the ban on internet and amid restrictions, thousands of people while chanting “pro freedom & anti India” slogans participated in the multiple funeral prayers of slain Hizb commander Sameer Tiger and his associate Aqib Khan at their native places in Pulwama district. Reports said that some armed militants appeared at the funeral and offered gun salute.
The atmosphere was also subdued in north Kashmir’s Baramulla town where unidentified assailants shot dead three youngsters late on Monday evening. Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti condemned the killings by ‘unknown assailants’. In a statement, the Chief Minister said she is pained to see young boys getting killed in an unending cycle of violence which she reiterated ought to be put to an end. She extended sympathies to bereaved families of the slain youth.
The three youngsters Haseeb Khan, Asgar Sheikh and Asif Ahmad Sheikh were killed in cold-blood late on Monday evening. Hundreds of locals took part in the joint funeral prayers. locals said the youngsters belonged to impoverished families and had no permanent source of income. The security forces launched a crackdown in the area to track down the killers. However, there was no success in nabbing anyone involved in the killings. Police said some suspicious persons have been taken into custody.
The separatist groups have condemned their killing and demanded an impartial probe.