Soldier martyred in Kupwara

An Indian Army soldier was killed and another received injuries during a prolonged gunfight inside Kandi forest area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Wednesday afternoon. The counter terrorist operation in the forest belt continued for the second consecutive day.

Security sources said that a paratrooper commando sustained serious bullet wounds in the gunfight at Sadu Ganga forest area of Kandi belt in the district. He was declared brought dead at north Kashmir’s Baramulla Military Hospital. Another army man injured in the operation has been evacuated for treatment and is responding to treatment.

They said the counter terrorist operation was launched in the area on Tuesday afternoon after Army and the group of terrorists had a faceoff. The group had managed to flee from the area.

Sources added that the group was intercepted on Wednesday with the help of additional reinforcements of army’s PARA commandos.

Meanwhile, normal life was affected across Kashmir Valley against recent killings and large-scale injuries in south Kashmir areas during the past several days.

The shutdown was called by Joint Resistance Leadership comprising separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik against “continuous civilian killings and inflicting injuries” during counter militant operations across Valley particularly in south Kashmir region.

Four civilians including a minor girl have been killed during past three days. State Police Crime Branch records suggest at least 106 civilians died in security forces' firing near encounter sites since January 2017. According to official figures, 78 civilians were killed near encounter sites in 2017.  As many as 42 civilians were killed in various militancy-related incidents since January 1, 2018, of whom 28 were killed in security forces’ action during protestors’ bid to move closer to the encounter sites across Kashmir. The security forces are grappled with a tough situation as local population gathers around encounter sites to disrupt operations and help militants escape from cordons. Many such attempts have been successful.

On Tuesday, two militants were killed during counter militant operation in Kundalan village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district. Around four dozen civilian protesters were also injured who have been shifted to different hospitals for treatment. Two among injured remained in critical condition who are undergoing specialized treatment at Srinagar hospital.

Two army men including Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) were also injured during gunfight.

An 18 year civilian identified as Tamseel Khan succumbed to bullet injuries during post encounter clashes. Police said, “Tamsheel sustained injuries in cross firing.”

The situation in Shopian and adjacent Pulwama areas continued to remain tense.

The authorities suspended mobile internet service in Shopian district. The broadband services are also affected in the area.

Heavy deployment of security forces was made in all the sensitive areas in Srinagar and south Kashmir region to maintain law & order.

Shops, business establishments, fuel stations remained closed. Public transport was generally off the roads even as tourist spots recorded heavy rush of locals and vistors from outside the state. The Amarnath yatra continued unhindered.

The class work in almost all the government and private educational institutions remained suspended. Authorities at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora, had postponed all the examinations scheduled for the day.

Senior separatist leaders, Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq continued to remain under house arrest. Yasin Malik has been put under preventive custody since July 6.

The train services remained suspended from Banihal in Jammu region upto Baramulla in north Kashmir. This is for the third time in July that train services have been suspended in the valley.