Civilian, militant killed in Shopian
Dozens injured in clashes in Kulgam, Pinjora village
Srinagar: A civilian was shot dead while several others were injured in government forces action during clashes amid cordon-and-search operation at Gugloora area of Pinjura in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.
Reports said that a joint team of army’s 44 RR, SOG and CRPF laid a siege at Gugloora area of Pinjura. Soon after the cordon, the clashes ensued as youth pelted stones on the government forces. The joint team of police, CRPF and army used tear smoke shells, pellets and live ammunition to disperse the protesters, resulting in injuries to several youths.
Among the injured, three youth with bullet wounds were taken to district hospital Shopian where one among them identified as Sajad Ahmad Parray son of Ali Mohammad Parray of Buderhama was declared brought dead on arrival.
A police officer also confirmed the death of the youth and said that the investigations have been started to get the exact details.
He said that the search operation is still underway in the area.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports said that a militant has been killed in the ensuing encounter. However, there was no official confirmation over his killing.
Earlier in the day several dozen people were injured after youth clashed with forces at Tazipora village in Kulgam.
The youth took to streets after forces laid a cordon in the village after inputs about the presence of militants there. As the troops zeroed in on the suspected militant hideout there was an exchange of fire between the two.
However, as the gunfight started in the area youth appeared near the gunfight site and started pelting stones on the forces.
Soon people took to streets and clashed with government forces following which the police and paramilitary forces resorted to teargas shelling pellets and live ammunition in which four dozen persons suffered injuries.
The injured were shifted to PHC Mahmoodpora and 15 of them were taken to district hospital Kulgam for treatment.
CMO Kulgam, Dr Fazil Kochak said that 60 injured persons were received at PHC Mohammedpora and around 50 of them had minor injuries.
Among the injured, 12 persons, he said have been shifted to district hospital Kulgam where from 10 of them were referred to a Srinagar hospital.
The twelve injured have been identified as Nadeem Ahmad, 30-years-old (pellet injury in left eye), Nawaz Ahmad Bhat, 36-years-old (pellet injury in right eye), Adnan, 17-years-old (pellet injury in left eye), Yawar Ahmad, 18-years-old (bullet injury in abdomen), Mohsin Ahmad (pellet injury on body), Basit Ahmad (pellet injury on both arms), Aqib Nazir Wagay, 18-years-old (pellet injury in left eye), Mudasir Nazir Bhat , 24-years-old (Pellet injury in left eye), Tawseef Ahmad Zargar, 20-years-old (pellet injury in right eye) and Ghulam Rasool Teeli, 28-years-old (pellet injury head and left eye).
Medical Superintendent District Hospital Kulgam Dr Muzafar Zargar also confirmed that ten injured persons have been referred to SMHS Srinagar for advanced treatment.
Those referred include Nadeem, Nawaz, Adnan, Aqib, Mudasir, Tawseef, Ghulam Rasool, and Yawar. One more person namely Umar Amin (24) son of Mohammad Amin of Kharpora Chadoora was admitted at SMHS hospital. According to reports Umar was ruthlessly beaten to pulp by the government forces.
Two others identified as Mohsin and Basit are being treated in the hospital.
Meanwhile, the government forces called off the operation after searches for several hours as no militant body was recovered, suggesting that the militants managed to escape.
KV News
