Mayhem in South Kashmir, 20 killed including 13 militants and 4 civilians

Kashmir News Bureau
Srinagar, April 01 (KNB): As many as 13 local militants, 4 civilians and 3 Army personnel were killed on Sunday in different encounters in south Kashmir areas of Shopian and Anantnag. The mayhem triggered protests in many parts of the Valley resulting injuries to hundreds of people in clashes between protestors and government forces.
Reports said that two militants suffered injured in a particular encounter and were later shifted to an unknown place by the locals. While as one militant in Anantnag encounter surrendered before the forces.
The authorities in a bid to stop the rumoring suspended the mobile internet services in parts of the Kashmir Valley. The Police requested citizens not to fall prey to any speculations and rumors which are intended to disturb peace.



At Draghad Shopian encounter, seven militants identified as Adil Ahmed Thoker of Humhuma, Nazim Dar of Nagbal, Ubaid Shafi Malla of Trenz, Yawar Itoo of Safanagri, Rayees Ahmed Thoker of Padarpora, Zubair Turay of Shopian and Ashfaq Malik of Pinjura were killed.
At Peth Dialgam area of Anantnag encounter, a militant identified as Rouf Khanday was killed while his companion (name withheld) surrendered before the forces after his family was brought by police to make an appeal to their son.
At Kachdoora Shopian, besides five militants, three army men were killed in the also killed in the encounter. Two of the killed militants were identified as Ishfaq Thokar resident of Paddarpora Shopian, Aitmad Hussain Dar resident of Amshipora, Shopian. The identity of the other three militants is being ascertained.
The civilians killed aftermath the encounter were identified as Mehraj-ud-Din Mir resident of Okey Kulgam and Mohammad Iqbal Bhat resident of Khasipora Shopian, Iqbal Bhat, son of Manzoor Ahmad of Khasipora Shopian and Zubair Ahmad Bhat.
The slain army jawans have been identified as – gunner Arvinder Kumar, gunner Nilesh Singh and Sepoy Hetram.



Addressing a joint media briefing with Commander of the Army’s Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lieutenant General AK Bhatt, Jammu and Kashmir police chief S P Vaid said this is one of the biggest counter-offensives in recent times against ‘terror’ groups operating in the Kashmir Valley.
“It’s unfortunate that stone pelting around encounter site cost 4 civilian deaths”: SP Vaid said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has expressed grief over the death of civilians. She has also sympathised with those injured during these operations. The Chief Minister has also paid tributes to the three Army jawans who were killed during these operations. She has conveyed her sympathies with the bereaved families and prayed for peace to the departed souls. (KNB)