The killing of two militants in a gunfight sparked spontaneous shutdown in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Monday.Reports said that all shops and other commercial establishments remained closed in the town and peripheries.Two militants of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant outfit were killed in a gunfight with forces in Khudwani area of the district early on Monday.An over-ground worker was also apprehended with a pistol in the area, police said.The slain militants were identified as as Sayar Ahmad Wani and Dawood Illahi Khan.On Sunday two militants were killed in adjacent Shopian district. In three day’s five top militants were killed in three different gun battles in North and South Kashmir.Clashes erupted in Lalchowk area of Islamabad district after news about the killing of two militants in Khudwani Kulgam spread in the area.Local sources said that youth pelted stones on police and other forces deployed in the area, who retaliated triggering clashes.Mobile internet services have been suspended in the district to prevent law and order problems.
Earlier police launched a CASO in Khudwani after inputs about presence of militants.During the searches, an encounter ensued and two militants were killed in the gunfight. The slain militants include Dawood Ahmad Illahi of Hawora Kulgam and Sayar Ahmad Wani of Wanpora Kulgam.Police sources said that two weapons have been recovered from the slain militants.They said that an OGW of militants identified as Arif Sofi was also arrested during the gunfight. A pistol has been recovered from his possession, they said.Reports said that thousands of people participated in the funeral prayers of these two slain militants.Witnesses said that five rounds of funeral prayers were held for Dawood Illahi Khan in Hawoora village while four rounds were held for Sayar Ahmad Wani in Wanpora.They said that pro-freedom and pro-Islam slogans were raised during the last rites of both the militants who were killed in an early morning gunfight with forces in Khudwani area of Kulgam. (CNS)