Civilian killed, many injured in clashes near encounter site in Shopian
One of the injured civilians being treated at a Srinagar hospital.Photo/Javed Khan
Shopian, May 02: A youth was killed and five others injured, one of them critically, in clashes with the government forces near the site of an encounter in Turkawangam village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday.
Earlier today, police said a joint team of Army and Special Operations Group (SOG) cordoned off Turkiwangam village after inputs about the presence of some militants in the area.
The hiding militants, believed to be three in number, opened fire on the approaching forces’ personnel, triggering a gunfight, which was going on when the reports last came in.
Meanwhile, as soon as the news of gunfight spread, youth took to streets and clashed with the government forces to disrupt the anti-militant operation.
Reports said that six youth were injured after government forces fired “live ammunition”, pellets and teargas at the protesters near the gunfight site. Local news agency GNS reported ten persons were injured in action by government forces near the encounter site.
The injured were shifted to District Hospital Shopian for treatment.
A doctor at the facility said that a youth from Pinjura area of the district was declared dead on arrival. “He had suffered a bullet injury in his chest,” he said.
Sources identified the deceased as 15-years-old Umar Kumhar, son of Abdul Ahad Kumhar of Pinjura.
Another official at the hospital said that five more injured youth were brought to the facility.
One among them, identified as Inayat Ahmad Malla of Maldera, had suffered serious bullet injury. He was shifted to Srinagar for specialized treatment.
The official said that two more injured – identified as Javed Ahmad of Maldera and Vikar Ahmad of Shopian – were referred to District Hospital Anantnag for specialised treatment.
“In ongoing encounter at Turkwangam Shopian, one civilian namely Inayat sustained bullet injury and is being treated at a hospital in Srinagar,” police spokesman said.
“The law and order situation is currently under control at the encounter site. General public is requested to stay away from encounter site and not to pay heed to rumours,” he said.
Meanwhile, the authorities suspended the Internet services in south Kashmir parts following in the wae of Turkawangam gunfight.
Reports said Internet services were snapped in twin districts of Pulwama and Shopian. Authorities block the Internet whenever a gunfight breaks out.
