Normal life crippled in some parts of central Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 14: Normal life was on Monday crippled in some parts of central Kashmir to protest against security force action in Shopian on Sunday which led to injuries to several youths, including a Ganderbal resident.

Even though there was no strike call given by any separatist group, shops and business establishments were closed and less number of vehicles were plying on roads at Nagbal in Ganderbal and Soura in Srinagar. Work in government offices and banks in these areas were also affected due to the strike.

A youth, identified as Mohammed Rafiq Parray, a resident of Nagbal, was among several injured when security forces burst teargas shells and resorted to aerial firing to disperse people, who had assembled in Sugan village in Shopian to participate in the funeral of militant outfit Al-Badr commander Zeenat-ul-Islam on Sunday.

Parray was rushed to a local hospital and later referred to S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, where his health condition is stated to be critical.

Two militants, including the "top commander," were killed in an encounter, which ensued when security forces launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at Yaripora in Kulgam late on Saturday evening.