Killing Spell Continues: 2 Civilians Among 8 Killed in Kashmir, JRL Calls for Strike

A civilian, three militants and an army jawan were killed in an ambush led by the government forces in the early hours of May 16 in Dalipoara of Pulwama district.   

In response to a specific tip-off about the presence of the militants in the area, a joint team of 44 Rashtriya Rifles and Special Officers Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police had reached the area, which led to clashes. According to reports, on hearing the sound of firing, residents from the area rushed to the spot.

During the initial stage of gunfight, a militant was killed and three army personnel were injured. One of the injured jawans succumbed to his injuries later at the army base camp hospital in Badami Bagh, Srinagar.

A civilian, identified as Younis Ahmad Dar, was also injured and was shifted to the District Hospital, Pulwama. Officials told NewsClick that Younis had a bullet in his thigh and had lost some blood. But his condition is stable.

After a few hours of gunfight, two more militants and a civilian were reportedly killed. The civilian has been identified as Rayees Ahmad Dar.

Three slain militants were identified by the police as Naseer Pandith of Kareemabad (Pulwama), Umar Mir of Shopian and a Pakistani national named Khalid. All of them were reportedly affiliated to the militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

According to police, Naseer Pandith had a long history of terror crimes even before joining the militant organisation. He was also involved in the killing of policeman Mohammad Yaqoob Shah of Pulwama in 2018 on the eve of Eid.

Similarly, Khalid, who was operating as the commander of JeM, and Mir were involved in several attacks on security establishments in the area, said police.

A curfew was imposed and heavy deployment was arranged in Pulwama district soon after many took to streets to protest against the killing of the civilian and three militants.

Also read: J&K: Continued Trend of Violence During Elections

On the other hand, in Shopian, a complete shutdown is being observed following encounter of Mir. All the shops, private offices and other business establishments remain closed, and public transport is off the roads.

Cow Vigilantism Kills one in Jammu?

During the intervening night of May 15 and 16, a man was shot dead by unknown gunmen at Nalthi Pull, Bhaderwah in Jammu region’s Doda district.

As per official reports, slain man was identified as Nayeem Shah (50), a resident of Mohalla Qilla Bhaderwah. Unknown gunmen fired upon him which led to his death on the spot, according to reports. The bullets were fired from a locally made rifle. Shah was allegedly killed by cow vigilantes, which has evoked an outcry in the area.

Soon after the incident, protests took place at several locations in Baderwah, where protesters demanded immediate arrest of the attackers. A curfew has been imposed in this region as well.

As per reports, Shah, along with two people, was on his way home with their cattle when he was allegedly shot at by the cow vigilantes. The other two have received minor injuries.

According to the police officials, they have arrested seven suspects, but the main suspect is still absconding.

Protester Succumbs to Injury

A 23-years-old boy, who was critically injured due to a teargas canister injury to his head during the clashes at Chenabal, has succumbed to his injuries at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science (SKIMS) on May 16.

The deceased boy, Arshid, was one of the hundreds of people who were protesting on May 13 against the rape of a three-year-old girl in Bandipora.

PDP Activist Dies

A political activist of Peoples Democratic Party, who was injured during an attack on May 8 in South Kashmir, died on May 16.

As per reports, the activist was identified as Irfan Ahmad, haling from Shopian district. Irfan had a firearm injury in his right thigh, and was undergoing treatment.

On May 8, Irfan and Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat were reportedly at a pharmacy when a group of armed men took them to a nearby apple orchard and allegedly fired at them.

As per police officials, a case under section 307 and 364 RPC has been registered.

Call for Strike

Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) has called for shutdown across Valley on May 17 against the series of killings in Kashmir.

In a statement issued by JRL, its spokesperson said that even in the holy month of Ramadan, there is no let-up in killings and bloodshed in Kashmir as civilians, armed youth or even government forces are getting killed.

Also read: Kashmir Protests Over 3-Year-Old’s Rape, Family of Accused Leaves Village