Five civilians were killed and at least 43 others injured post a gunfight in Kulgam district of south Kashmir in which three militants were killed and two soldiers injured on Sunday. Sources said that five civilian were killed and 43 others injured either in blast near the site of encounter or in government forces action against the civilian protesters.They said that government forces used live ammunition besides teargas shells and pellets to disperse off the protesting youth.An official at district hospital Kulgam said that 32 injured were received in the hospital and four of them were shifted to Srinagar. Similarly, Medical superintendent of Anantnag hospital Dr Abdul Majeed Mehrab said that 11 injured persons were received and three among them were shifted to Srinagar for specialized treatment.The dead civilians have been identified as Ubaid Laway son of Mohammad Maqbool Laway, Uzair Ahmad, Mansoor Ahmad, Talib Maqbool of Laroo, Tajamul Ahmad of Denew Bogund and Irshad Ahmad of Shurat.
The sources said that three of the civilian Talib, Tajamul and Irshad died in an explosion near encounter site while two others—Uzair and Mansoor— died at SMHS hospital.“Civilians visited the encounter site immediately after operation inspite of request not to visit as thorough search is to be made for explosives once flames douse off . They didn’t listened and thus visited the spot immediately after forces withdrew and some explosive substance went off resulting in injuries to civilians. One civilian namely Ubaid Laway son of Mohammad Maqbool Laway of Laroo died,” police tweeted .“We request them not to visit the site again,” the police officer added. Meanwhile, Chairman of Hurrityat Conference said that there is “bloodbath” in Kulgam amid information blockade by the government forces.“Amidst internet &news blackout reports of #BloodbathInKulgam as Indian forces go berserk! Many civilian casualties reported,3 armed youth martyred more than sixty civilians injured many critical !Homes destroyed, women ruthlessly beaten! All roads to the area sealed, media barred!,” Mirwaiz, who is under house arrest, tweeted. (GNS)