The Kashmir valley erupted again on Tuesday after three youth were shot dead and 16 others injured in retaliatory action by security forces when a mob tried to disrupt an ongoing operation against terrorists at Chadoora in Budgam district on Tuesday.
As many as 63 three security personnel, including 43 from the CRPF and 20 from the state police, were injured in stone-pelting by local mobs. A terrorist holed up in the house that was being targeted by security forces was later killed. One para-commando was injured in the 11 hour-long operation.
Acting on a specific information about the presence of terrorists, a joint team of the Army and police launched an operation in Darbugh village of Chadoora in the wee hours of Wednesday. When the search party was closing in on the target, the hidden militant opened fire, triggering a fierce gunfight.
Police sources said as news of the encounter spread, villagers started marching towards the site of the operation to disrupt it. Security forces, however, stopped the mob from marching ahead.
Shouting pro-azaadi and pro-militant slogans, the mob pelted stones at the security forces to break the barricades to reach to the encounter site. Security forces used smoke shells and pellet guns to disperse the mob. When that failed to quell the mobs, the forces had to open fire, injuring several people. Three of them later succumbed to their injuries.
The three civilians killed have been identified as Zahid Rashid Ganai, Qaisar Ahmad Ganai and Ishfaq Ahmad.
Inspector General of CRPF Ravideep Sahi told DNA that 43 CRPF personnel and 20 policemen were injured in the stone-pelting.
Tension gripped Jehangir Chowk area of Srinagar when police, in a bid to stop mob from stoking passions, tried to stop an ambulance carrying the body of one of the civilians.
Later in the evening security forces called off the operation after killing the lone militant, who was identified as Towseef Ahmad Magray of Kulgam in South Kashmir.
“One militant has been killed and one weapon recovered from the site,” said Colonel Rajesh Kalia, defence spokesman at Srinagar.
The killing of civilians could not have come at a worse time as Chadoora, which is part of Srinagar parliamentary constituency, is going to polls on April 9.
Fear is already palpable among the mainstream parties. There are no open rallies or road shows given the threat of militants and stone throwers. The killings could further vitiate the atmosphere and lead to lower turnout of voters next month
Sensing trouble, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed her deep anguish and grief over the death of the youth at Chadoora. “We know there are issues that need to be addressed and resolved but no one will be able to do anything at a point when violence becomes a norm. There is a need for restraint from all sides so that a conducive atmosphere is created and dissent is expressed in a peaceful way," she said.
Earlier Mehbooba appealed to the people to keep their children away from the encounter sites and prevent them from resorting to stone pelting.
Last month, Army Chief Bipin Rawat had issued a stern warning to stone pelters who interfered with live operations, and warned of tough action if the locals did not desist from obstructing security forces.
“(If) they do not relent and create hurdle in our operations, then we will take tough action,” Rawat had said.
The killings have given fresh ammunition to the opposition and separatists to hit out at Mehbooba Mufti led government in in Jammu and Kashmir.
Joint Resistance Leadership, an amalgam of Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Geelani, moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik who spearheaded last year's unrest, have called for Kashmir bandh on Wednesday and a protest demonstration after Friday’s namaaz.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, who is contesting from Srinagar constituency of central Kashmir, warned the PDP-BJP government to end the era of bloodbath in Kashmir and realise the gravity of the alarming situation that is a result of their criminal negligence in addressing the core political issue in Kashmir.
“I extend my deepest, heartfelt condolences to the families of the young boys who lost their lives today. I stand in solidarity with them and my heart aches for them”, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said while halting his outreach program for Tuesday as a mark of mourning and respect to the deceased and their families.
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