Seven civilians were killed after clashes broke out between the youth and security forces following an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday, 15 December.
What We Know
The civilians were killed when security forces allegedly opened fire to disperse an unruly crowd that had gathered near the site of an encounter in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on Saturday, reported PTI.
Dozens more were injured in the firing. A soldier and three militants were also killed in the encounter. Two other soldiers are reportedly critical.
Jammu and Kashmir police said that many from the “crowd came dangerously close” to the encounter site and got injured. The police also asked the citizens to stay away from encounter site and confirmed that arms and ammunition were recovered from the site.
“While operation was going on, a crowd came dangerously close from different parts to encounter site and got injured. They were sent to hospital where seven civilians succumbed to injuries,” the J&K police said.
J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik chaired a security review meeting on Saturday and directed forces to “minimise collateral damage during anti-militancy operations,” The Greater Kashmir said in a report. Malik also asked Kashmir’s divisional commissioner to inquire into the incident.
The governor stressed on the need to keep a close watch on the ground situation and appealed the people of Kashmir to stay away from areas where anti-militancy operations are being conducted, the report quoted a spokesperson as saying.
“The loss of civilians is deeply grieved. We once again appeal to citizens to remain away from encounter site as it’s a prohibited zone which involves significant danger to life.”J&K Police to ANI
Why Did A Search Operation Turn Into an Encounter
The security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Sirnoo village in Pulwama district of south Kashmir on Saturday morning after receiving specific intelligence input on the presence of militants in the area, an army official said.
The incident took place at Sirnoo village in the morning when the security forces laid siege on a locality based on intelligence reports about the presence of three militants, including an Army deserter – Zahoor Ahmad Thokar, in an orchard in the area, police officials said.
The search operation turned into an encounter after the militants opened fire on security personnel.
What We Know About The Deceased
Solider Kishan Singh Rajput, who was killed in the encounter, belonged to Ratangarh, Churu, Rajasthan, ANI reported. His wreath laying ceremony was carried out on Sunday, 16 December.
The civilians killed were identified as Shahbaz Ali, resident of Monghama village, Suhail Ahmad of Bellow, Liyaqat Ahmad from Parigam, Murtaza of Prichoo, Amir Ahmad Palla of Ashminder and Abid Hussain Lone of Kareemabad.
All three of the militants killed in the encounter are members of Hizbul Mujahideen.
One of the dead militants has been identified as Zahoor Ahmad Thokar, a former army jawan who joined militancy last year. In July 2017, Hizbul Mujahideen had claimed that Zahoor Ahmad Thokar of 173 Territorial Army, who gone missing from an army unit in the Gantmulla area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district along with his service rifle and ammunition, had joined the militant outfit.
The security forces said Thokar was involved in several killings in Pulwama district.
The identity of the other militants are being ascertained.
Photos from the site of the encounter,
(Photo: ANI)
Restrictions, Shutdowns in Pulawama and Parts of Srinagar
Authorities on Sunday, 16 December imposed restrictions in Pulwama and parts of Srinagar districts of Jammu and Kashmir as a precautionary measure in view of the strike called by separatists against the killing of seven civilians during an encounter on Saturday.
Restrictions under Section 144 CrPc have been imposed in Pulwama district of south Kashmir and six police station areas of Srinagar.
They said the curbs have been imposed in Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal, MR Gunj and Maisuma police station areas of the city.
Meanwhile, shops, fuel stations and other business establishments were shut in the city due to the strike, the officials said.
They said public transport was off the roads while few private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws were seen plying in some areas.
The weekly flea market was also shut, the officials said, adding, similar reports of shutdown were received from other district headquarters of the Valley.
Security forces have been deployed in strength at sensitive places to avoid any law and order problem, they said.
High-speed mobile Internet remained suspended in most parts of the Valley, including in Srinagar.
Separatists Call for a Three-day Strike
Separatists in Kashmir have called for a three-day strike against the killing of seven civilians.
The separatists, under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, also asked people to march to the headquarters of the Army's Chinar Corps at Badamibagh on Monday, 17 December.
Mirwaiz on Twitter called for a march towards Badami Bagh Army cantonment on Monday.
In another tweet, he said, "From today onwards for three days mourning and complete protest strike will be observed all across."
(With inputs from India Today, ANI and PTI.)
Political Reactions to the Incident
Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah called the incident a “massacre”.
Condemning the incident in his tweets he said there was an internet shutdown across the valley.
Mehbooba Mufti also tweeted, condoling the incident.
Separatist-turned-mainstream leader and former minister Sajad Lone said the administration needs to "seriously evaluate" the costs of such anti-militancy operations.
He also expressed the hope that the administration would "its Rambo mindset".
Youth Trending Towards Suicidal Action Dangerous: Ata Hasnain
Lt Gen (Retd), Indian Army, Former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 15 and 21 Corps told The Quint how eight to nine years ago there was fear of the army.
“The appearance of the army used to automatically stabilise situations where mobs assembled. The army used to come out, the officers used to empathise with people, negotiate with them. But over the period of time as the issue has built up and become more youth oriented, social media has been creating greater antipathy and negativity. There is a trend towards greater suicidal action by the youth. People come out without realising they are in harm’s way.”
They come out either to prevent the security forces, the army, CRPF and JK police, from reaching the encounter site or once the encounter is over they want to get there first to take bodies for funerals.This puts tremendous pressure on the security forces. They come out either to prevent the security forces, the army, CRPF and JK police, from reaching the encounter site or once the encounter is over they want to get there first to take bodies for funerals. This puts tremendous pressure on the security forces.
When asked what is it that the forces can do to prevent civilian deaths, he told The Quint, “There is not much they can do but try and reach out to people through elders but I personally feel a time has come today where the youth is so restive that they do not want to listen to anyone. This is a very dangerous trend because thus far what we have avoided in Kashmir is suicide bombings which take place in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Driven by lack of fear and impassioned by radical ideology I fear we are moving towards a situation where suicide bombings could also be resorted to in Kashmir. That would change the complete security narrative in a very negative way.
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