Three militants, civilian killed, several injured in Pulwama

SRINAGAR: Three Lashkar-e-Taiba militants were killed in Kakapora town in Pulwama district in an encounter that broke out Wednesday late night. In subsequent clashes a civilian has also been killed.
Director General of Police, S P Vaid tweeted: "3 LeT terrorists eliminated at Kakapora #Pulwama in an encounter including Majid Mir who was involved in a number of killings."
Police officials said the encounter began on Wednesday night when forces received an input about presence of some militants in New Colony locality of Kakapora town.
The officials said police, army and CRPF cordoned off the area and zeroed in on the house in which militants were hiding.
"During searches of houses in the locality, militants fired from a house which was retaliated by forces. And in the retaliatory fire, three militants were killed," a police official said.
The militants were identified as Majid Hamid Mir, Sharik Ahmad, both residents of Kakapora and Irshad Ahmad Dar of Aghanzpora, Padgampora, Awantipora.
A police spokesman said that two AK rifles and one Pistol was recovered from the encounter site.
"Majid Hamid Mir was involved in killings of Sarpanch Fayaz Ahmad resident of Kandizal and Sarpanch Fayaz Ahmad resident of Dar Mohalla Kakapora. He was also involved in grenade attacks on PP Kakapora and bank robbery at Wahibugh. Majid along with Shakir Gugjoo were involved in the killing of advocate Abdul Gani (PDP District President, Pulwama) and killing of a civilian Aijaz Ahmad resident of Urbugh. They were also involved in the bank robbery at Nehama in Pulwama district," the spokesman said.
Earlier, when the encounter erupted on Wednesday night an army Major was injured in his hand due to a bullet fired by militants, police official said, adding, he was rushed to a hospital and was stable. Authorities in the district have suspended internet service, colleges, higher secondary schools have been ordered closed.
An order issued by the District Magistrate Pulwama said that in view of prevailing law and order situation, restrictions have been imposed in Kakapora, Awantipora and Pulwama town as a precautionary measure.
"Further the class work in Govt Degree Colleges and Higher Secondary School shall remain suspended today (22 June).
A spontaneous shutdown was observed in Pulwama, Kakapora and adjoining area, with schools, shops and offices shut for the day. Traffic was off the roads and forces have been deployed in "sensitive" areas to prevent protests.
Meanwhile, clashed erupted in the Kakapora in which a civilian, identified as Tawseef Ahmad Wani of Tengpuna, Pulwama, was killed.
Doctors in Primary health Centre said that Wani had a bullet injury and was referred to SDH Pampore, where he was declared "brought dead" on arrival.
Police said that after the burial of militants, a violent mob attacked Police Post Kakapora.
"In order to save lives and government property, the security forces used riot control measures in which one person identified as Tawseef Ahmad @Chota Geelani resident of Tengpuna, Pulwama, was injured. The injured was shifted to hospital for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries. He was a chronic stone pelter and was involved in 10 stone pelting cases right from 2010 and has been earlier booked two times under PSA," police said.
Atleast 70 protesters were injured during the clashes, among them critically injured were shifted to Srinagar's hospital for treatment, and many were treated in PHC Kakapora and District Hospital, Pulwama and SDH Pampore.