SOG cop among 5 injured in day-long clashes; Forces ‘ransack’ houses in Litter village
Amid complete shutdown, massive clashes and protests broke out in Pulwama areas of South Kashmir for the second consecutive day Wednesday against killing of two militants and a civilian by government forces there yesterday. Five persons including a police official were injured in daylong clashes, witnesses said.
Witnesses said scores of people took to streets in Padgampora village this morning and held protests against BSF personnel for killing the 23-year-old civilian—Bilal Ahmad—during protests in Malangpora yesterday. Ahmad hailed from Padgampora.
The protesters, according to reports, marched towards a CRPF camp near Padgampora Bridge and pelted stones on the paramilitary forces. The CRPF men retaliated with tear-smoke shells, triggering clashes. At least four persons sustained minor injuries during the clashes, a police official said.
In the meantime, sources said, a police official of Special Operations Group of J&K Police was injured in clashes in Litter Pulwama where youth hit the streets and pelted stones on a camp of CRPF and SOG.
The CRPF men and SOG cops retaliated with stones and in the ensuing clashes, in-charge of the camp was injured when a stone hit on his forehead, police reports said.
Local residents however complained that SOG men barged into many houses and broke windows and doors of scores of dwellings.
Clashes erupted in Kakapora, Newa and Rajpora Chowk in Pulwama while massive protests were held in Talangama, Lelhara and Ratnipora.
Meanwhile, a complete strike was observed in Pulwama district, especially in Padgampora, Lelhara, Talangama, Kakapora and Ratnipora areas.
All business establishments remained closed while government offices witnessed a very thin attendance of employees. The roads wore a deserted look for the entire day. The strike call was given by Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani.
Pertinently, two LeT militants were killed in a 20-hour gunfight in Ratnipora yesterday. A civilian, Bilal Ahmad, was killed in firing on protesters by BSF personnel in Malangpora.