Five terrorists were killed in a prolonged gun-battle along the line of Control (loC) in north Kashmir’s Gawalta area of Uri as the Army foiled yet another infiltration bid on Friday.
Defence sources said the counter infiltration operations are continuing in the vast forested area in the sector.
Meanwhile, normal life across Kashmir remained hit due to separatist-sponsored shutdown and the curfew-like restrictions imposed in Srinagar and nine other district headquarters. The authorities on Friday took the step to prevent protests called by the joint separatist leadership against the death of college student Adil Farooq Magrey of Ganawpora village in Shopian, who was killed when protesters clashed with the security forces to disrupt an anti-terror operation in the village on Tuesday.
Clashes and stone pelting incidents were reported from Pulwama, Anantnag, Hajin, Kupwara and Shopian areas.
Moreover, the Friday congregational prayers were disallowed at historical Srinagar Jamia Masjid as all routes leading to the central mosque were sealed off to prevent people from gathering for weekly congregational prayers in view of call for protests by the separatists.
Restrictions under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) were also imposed in the district headquarters of Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Baramulla, Budgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora and Kupwara.
All educational institutions, including colleges and schools had been closed across the Kashmir to prevent protests by students.
Train services between Baramulla and Banihal town remained suspended.
While senior Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani continued to remain under house arrest, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq was placed under house arrest early on Friday.
liberation Front chairman Yasin Malik was arrested after he tried to take out protest march from Srinagar mosque.
Heavy deployments were made in places where restrictions were not imposed.
Authorities have already suspended 3G and 4G mobile internet services in the valley and reduced the speed of fixed landline broadband facilities.
Police said the situation remained “peaceful and under control” across Kashmir valley except five incidents of stone pelting. A police spokesperson said the Government forces used “maximum restraint” during these incidents. The spokesperson said a boy, identified as Faizan Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of SK Colony Anantnag received stone injury in his right eye. He said the boy was shifted to SMHS, Hospital Srinagar where his condition is said to be stable.
The Friday encounter is part of the major offensive launched along the loC in north Kashmir region.
In the past two days, the Army units deployed along the loC foiled multiple attempts of infiltration.
The Udhampur-based Northern Command spokesperson said on Wednesday and Thursday infiltration attempts were foiled at Gurez in Bandipora district, Machhil and Naugam in Kupwara district and Uri Sector in Baramulla district.
Then, seven terrorists were killed during these operations. A soldier was also killed in Nowgam sector gunfight on Thursday. large quantity of arms, ammunition and war like stores were also recovered.
Defence spokesperson said the operations were in progress at Machhil, Naugam and Uri sectors. Two soldiers sustained injuries in Uri sector on Thursday.
The spokesperson said the terrorists are being provided active support, including covering fire by Pakistan army posts on the loC to assist them in infiltration into the Kashmir valley.