One dies as locals clash with security forces in Anantnag

Suhail A Shah

Bijbehara, December 8

A civilian was killed and several others were injured in clashes with security personnel near an encounter site in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, where security forces have been battling a group of Lashkar-e-Toiba militants for the last 24 hours.

While the United Jihad Council (UJC), a Muzaffarabad-based conglomerate of Kashmiri militant outfits, said three local militants were killed in the gunfight, the police here are yet to confirm the same.

“The operation is still underway,” Special Director General of Police, Coordintination, Law and Order, SP Vaid told The Tribune.

The encounter, which started late Wednesday evening in Hassanpora village near Bijbehara town in Anantnag district and was suspended for the night, is yet to be declared officially over as gunfire could be heard from the site intermittently.

The slain civilian has been identified as Arif Ahmad Shah, a resident of the Sangam area in Anantnag district. A police statement confirming Shah’s killing maintained that he was hit by a stray bullet. The statement also advised people to stay away from encounter sites.

According to local sources, however, Shah was part of the protesters clashing with security forces near the encounter site to try and provide a safe passage to the trapped militants.

Shah succumbed to his injuries on the way to a hospital while another injured person, who is being treated at a Srinagar hospital, is in a critical condition. More than 30 people were injured in the clashes with the security men.

“Two persons with pellet injuries were treated and then referred to Srinagar from here,” said a doctor at Anantnag district hospital.

Hassanpora was cordoned off late Wednesday evening following inputs of militants in the area. The security forces after getting no response to a few warning shots suspended the operation for some time.

Later in the night, the gunfight resumed and heavy mortar shells could be heard going off in the area. The operation resumed officially in the morning, when hundreds of people from south Kashmir tried to reach the encounter site. The clashes intensified as the day wore on with the security forces having a tough time fighting the militants as well as the civilians.

Clashes spread to other areas in south Kashmir, including Kulgam, Qaimoh, Khodweni, Bijbehara, Anantnag town, Sangam and several parts in Pulwama district.