Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik was arrested on Friday to prevent him from leading any protests against the killing of a civilian during a cordon-and-search-operation (CASO) in Qamarwari yesterday.
A JKLF spokesman said that Malik was arrested from his Maisuma residence and lodged at Kothibagh police station.
Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik has called for shutdown and protests today against the killing of Saleem Malik during a CASO in Noorbagh area of Qamarwari yesterday morning.
The killing of the civilian triggered protests and clashes in parts of Downtown Srinagar.
In Sekidafar area of the Downtown, the police fired tear gas at the mourners carrying the body of Saleem towards the martyrs’ graveyard at Eidgah for burial.
Locals in Qamarwari alleged that Saleem was killed in cold-blood by the forces. His bullet-riddled body was found just outside his residence after it was allegedly dragged from inside.
However, police claimed that he was killed after militants fired “indiscriminately” at the forces.
A police spokesman in a statement said: “Forces, acting on a credible input, cordoned off cluster of houses where hiding militants fired indiscriminately, resulting in death of an individual identified as Saleem Malik son of Muhammad Yaqoob. Police has initiated investigations.”