Internet services were suspended in Kupwara district of Kashmir on Sunday as authorities apprehended misuse of social media in the wake of killing of five militants in an encounter on Saturday over which there have been protests by some locals.
"The internet services in the (Kupwara) district have been suspended since midnight as a precautionary measure," a police official said.
He said the step was taken to prevent elements inimical to peace from using the killing of the militants for fuelling anti-state protests.
Five militants were killed on Saturday in an encounter with security forces in Kupwara district of north Kashmir that also left two soldiers injured. One of them succumbed to injuries on Sunday.
Naik Gawade Pandurang Mahadev, who was critically injured in the operation at Chak Drugmulla in Kupwara, succumbed at 92 Base Hospital of the army in Srinagar, the official said.
"The brave soldier was part of the the column that initially located and engaged the hiding terrorists, leading to the elimination of all five terrorists," the official said.
The mortal remains of the soldier will be flown to his village in Sindudurg district of Maharashtra after necessary formalities are completed, he added.
The militants killed in the encounter were laid to rest in a local graveyard where hundreds of local residents participated in their last rites.
After the funeral, some local residents staged protests, the official said adding the situation so far was under control.
IMAGE: Security personnel take positions towards the site during an encounter at Drugmulla area of north Kashmir in Kupwara on May 21. Photograph: Umar Ganie
