Srinagar, Sep 14: A shutdown was observed amid protests in North Kashmir’s Sopore town on Wednesday, a day after the divisional commander of militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba, Abdullah Unni, was killed in an encounter.
Shops, business establishments and other commercial establishments remained shut. Public transport remained off the roads while private transport was plying partially in the town. Government offices and a few other institutions remained open.
Hundreds of policemen donning riot gear were deployed in the sensitive areas to prevent protests.
In the morning, eyewitnesses said, small groups of youth appeared in main chowk and Batapora, Chinkipora, Armpora, Hatishah and adjoining areas.
As they tried to march on the streets of the apple town, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and policemen deployed in strength used batons and teargas to disperse them.
Meanwhile, militants reportedly targeted paramilitary CRPF forces in the town’s bus stand.
Police and CRPF officials said two militants targeted CRPF personnel in the morning. No casualty was reported, however firing created chaos in the area.
Additional reinforcements from police were called to seal the area and trace the militants following the attack.
“Two militants fired to scare civilians in bus stand. Both fled away from the spot,” said Superintendent of Police Sopore, Imtiyaz Hussain, while denying that CRPF men were attacked.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST