Security forces on Saturday shot dead three militants of Hizbul Mujahideen and lashkar-e-Tayyeba (leT) outfits in a south Kashmir village during a search operation.
This is a major jolt to the two outfits in Pulwama district where the presence of a significant number of militants is posing a major threat to law and order situation in the State.
Following the encounter, hundreds of local residents, especially the youth, took part in the funeral processions of the slain militants.
The protesters pelted stones at a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) bunker in Tahab village. More than a dozen protesters were injured in clashes with police and paramilitaries.
Subsequently, train services between Srinagar and Banihal were suspended by railway authorities for the day.
“The train service has been suspended for today due to the prevailing law and order situation in Pulwama where from the trains pass towards Banihal. The decision was taken in view of apprehensions of protests in the area which may have lead to damage to railway property,” said a Railway official, adding the authorities would assess the situation later in the day to decide on whether to restart the services on Sunday or not.
Police said the militants were hiding in a private residential house at Panzgam village when security forces received a tip-off on their presence. The village was cordoned off late on Friday evening.
Sources said the militants were killed in a swift action and there was apparently no resistance from them when the house was raided past-midnight. locals said there was no exchange of fire.
According to police, two of the slain militants-- Ashfaq Ahmad Dar resident of Dogripora and Haseeb Ahmad resident of Bandina-- were affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen while Ishfaq Ahmad Baba, a resident of Tahab village was lashkar cadre.
Police and 42 Rashtriya Rifles personnel jointly conducted the raid. Three AK series rifles have been recovered from the possession of the slain militants.
Shortly after the news spread about the encounter, hundreds of locals began marching towards the native villages of the slain militants. They were chanting pro-azadi slogans. Some protesters clashes with the police and security forces even a spontaneous shutdown was observed in the entire district.
The Pulwama district has emerged as one of the main sanctuaries of Hizb and lashkar militants during the past three years.
However, in the recent months, security forces have developed effective intelligence network in the region leading to killing of several top commanders of the two outfits.