Srinagar, December 15 (KNO): At least seven civilians were killed in post gunfight clashes while as three militants were also gunned down in encounter that raged between forces and militants in Kharpora Sirnoo in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Police sources told KNO that two Army men were also injured during the gunfight.
They said that 55 RR of Army, SOG of Police and 182/183 BN CRPF jointly launched a search operation in the area following the inputs about the presence of militants.
Reports said that the forces during the search operation blocked all the entry and exit points to Sirnoo area during which the hiding militants opened fire on the troopers, triggering an encounter.
Three militants were killed in the gunfight whose identification was being ascertained till the report was last filed.
Nonetheless, seven civilians were also killed during the post encounter clashes that erupted near the encounter site today.
Sources told KNO that dozens of people sustained injuries after forces opened fire upon the protesters who were evacuated top the hospitals for treatment. However, seven among them succumbed to their injuries.
The slain civilians have been identified as Shahbaz Ali, resident of Monghama village, Suhail Ahmad of Bellow, Liyaqat Ahmad from Parigam, Murtaza of Prichoo, Amir Ahmad Palla of Ashminder and Abid Hussain Lone of Kareemabad and Touseef Ahmad Mir.
However, unconfirmed reports said that a trooper who had sustained injuries during the clashes also succumbed to his injuries.
Meanwhile, the civilian killings were widely condemned today.
The mainstream political leaders or pro-freedom leaders took to the social networking blog and condemned the killings.
Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) called for three day mourning across Valley and also appealed people to observe complete shutdown and a protest march to Badami Bagh army cantonment on Monday (December 17) against unabated killings in Kashmir.
In a tweet Mirwaiz wrote, “From today onwards for three days mourning and complete protest strike will be observed all across.”
Mirwaiz in his another tweet wrote said, “PulwamaMassacre,Bullets and pellets rain!As Govt of India has decided to kill Kashmiri’s through its #ArmedForces who control us,JRL and people will march towards Badami Bagh Army cantonment on Monday 17 Dec to ask GOI to kill all of us at one time rather than killing us daily.”
The former chief ministers including Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the civilian killings in Pulwama, terming it as unfortunate.
Meanwhile, the student from Kashmir University staged a protest against the civilian killing.
The students as per reports boycotted their classes and assembled in the premises of varsity and staged protest and shouted slogans.
Clashes also erupted between students and forces in Sopore town after the students of Degree College Sopore staged a protest over civilian killings.
Reports of clashes was also received from Clashes also erupted between the students of Amar Singh College and the forces in Srinagar city.(KNO)