South Kashmir remained shut on Thursday to mourn the killing of militants and civilians in forces’ action.
Pulwama and Shopian districts observed shutdown for the fourth consecutive day, while Anantnag and Kulgam district also shutdown on Thursday to mourn the killing of a civilian in Turkwangam village on Wednesday.
All shops and other business establishments remained closed in the three districts while traffic was off the roads. Two militants – Sameer Tiger and Aqib Khan – and a civilian, Shahid Ahmad, were killed during a gunfight on Monday in Drubgam village of Pulwama. A civilian was killed and 30 others injured in forces action near the site of a gunfight in Turkwangam village of Shopian Wednesday.
CORDON, SEARCH OPERATIONS
Clashes erupted between protesters and the government forces in Malangpora area on Thursday as youth took to streets after forces launched a cordon-and-search-operation (CASO) in the area.
The youth hurled rocks on the forces who responded by firing tear gas shells. Meanwhile, an official said that door-to-door searches were also launched after inputs about the presence of militants in Lelhar area of Pulwama.
In Kulgam district, Army resorted to aerial firing to disperse a group of protesting youth. At New Byepass in Khudwani area of Qaimoh protesters hurled rocks at an army patrol. The army men fired few shots in the air to chase away the protesters.