Shutdown in Shopian, Pulwama against militant killings; clashes erupt

Srinagar: Intense clashes between local youth and government forces erupted at Muran Chowk in Pulwama on Thursday amid a spontaneous shutdown.

Reports said that youths hit the streets and hurled stones on government forces who retaliated with tear smoke shells and pellets to disperse them.

Three local militants were killed in a gunfight with government forces on Thursday in a pre-dawn gunfight in Yarwan area of Keller, south Kashmir’s Shopian district.

The gunfight ensued in the village after government forces, following inputs about presence of militants in the village, laid a siege and started door-to-door search operation.

“As the searches intensified, the hiding militants fired at forces triggering a gunfight,” he said.

The slain militants have been identified as Aaqib Ahmad, a resident of Bhatnoora Lassipora Pulwama, Basharat Ahmad, a resident of Wasoora Pulwama and Sajad Khanday, a resident of Bamnoo Keller.

Meanwhile, a complete shutdown is being observed in Pulwama and Shopian districts of south Kashmir.