The Government Forces in Central Kashmir shot dead two civilians and injured dozen others near the encounter site when the protesters tried to hamper their operation against a trapped militant.Reports said that encounter between a trapped local militant and Government Forces started on Tuesday morning, when a joint team of 53 Rashtriya Rifles of Indian Army, Special Operations Group of Jammu Kashmir Police and CRPF started cordon and search operation in Durbagh village in Chadoor of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.Shortly after the commencement of the gunfight, people mostly youth from adjoining areas started marching towards encounter site to disrupt the operation and help militants escape from the spot. Government Forces used tear-smoke shells and pellets to disperse the protesters, however, when they continued to resort to stone-pelting, bullets were used that resulted in the death of two civilians identified as Zahid Rashid Ganai, Isfaq Ahmed Wani who were brought to SMHS hospital in Srinagar, where they succumbed to their injuries and Saqib Ahmad, who was declared brought dead at the sub-district hospital in Chadoora. Zahid Rashid, the only brother among five sisters was the resident of Chadoora while another deceased youth hails from Kralwari Chadoora. Ishfaq Ahmed is the resident of Rengreith Srinagar.
Reports said that Zahid was the youngest and only brother among his five sisters, two of whom are married. Son of a businessman, Abdul Rasheed Ganie, Zahid had joined his father’s business after passing class 12th exams.Block Medical Officer, Sub district hospital Chadoora said that Saqib Ahmad was brought dead to the hospital. According to local sources Saqib was hit by a bullet and was immediately rushed to Chadoora hospital.The clashes intensified after the news about the death of civilians spread in the area. Dozens of youth suffered injuries during these clashes. Some of the injured has been identified as Mubasir dar of Wanibagh (pellet injury), Bilal Ahmad Dar of Chadoora (pellet injury) Nazir Dar of Chadoora (pellet injury), Muhammad Ashraf Yatoo of Hayatpora (shell injury), Owais Hassan Dar of Kralwari (pellet injury).Reports said that police seized the ambulance carrying the dead body of the youth near Jahangir Chowk leading to clashes. The mourners accompanying the dead resisted and resented police aim while to disperse them, police charged them with canes. “The police stopped the ambulance carrying the dead body of Zahid Rashid and snatched the keys from the driver,” said a mourner to CNS. Earlier, a group of youth attacked a police vehicle in Karan Nagar when the vehicle allegedly blocked the way of the ambulance carrying the dead body. Eyewitnesses said that massive clashes erupted outside SMHS Hospital after police tried to seize the dead body. People after offering funeral prayers outside SMHS Hospital clashed with police. Reports said that shopkeepers downed their shutters amid massive clashes. Police resorted to tear smoke shells to disperse the protesting mourners.
Reports said that civilian killings sparked spontaneous shutdown in Chadoora, Pakharpora, Charar-e-Sharif and other areas. A police official said that the gunfight culminated with the death of a militant whom he identified as Towseef Ahmed Wagay, a resident of Kanjakalan, Nagam Chadoora. Police sources said that the house in which the slain militant was hiding was blasted and razed to ground. The house owner has been identified Ghulam Qadir Baba. The 10-hour-long gunfight ended with the death of a militant and injuries to a soldier, army said. Army spokesman Rajesh Kalia said that a militant has been killed whose body was recovered along with a weapon.Meanwhile, the joint resistance leadership has called complete shutdown on Wednesday, March 29 against the civilian killings in Chadoora. Asking people to observe complete shutdown on March 29 and protests after Friday prayers on March 31, Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Omer Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik expressed their deep grief over killing of two youth near encounter site. Blaming Indian forces for their brutalities against civilians, (CNS)