Police said hostilities broke out while security forces were conducting anti-militant operations. The protests have persisted despite the Indian army chief warning recently that tough action would be taken against stone throwers during counterinsurgency operations.
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The encounters triggered massive protests in South Kashmir against the Indian armed forces, with thousands of people taking to the streets, resulting in fierce clashes.
His body has been handed over to the family for last rites.
“Apparently this group had joined HM in the summer of 2017 and were involved in series of cases of attacks on civilians and security forces; killing of Lt. Umer Fayaz is one among them”, a J&K Police spokesperson said in a statement this evening.
At least 12 terrorists, three Army jawans and a civilian were killed in three separate encounters in Jammu and Kashmir’s southern Shopian and Anantnag districts on Sunday. Operations in the days to come would look to target the local terrorists who have refused to surrender or give up arms, the source also added.
In another encounter of the day at Dialgam Anantnag, a local militant identified as Rauf Khanday was killed while another surrendered, police said. “I don’t think in any part of the world forces will be doing operation in this manner”, Vaid, flanked by Corps commander and a battery of counter-insurgency officers, said.
Troops used tear gas and pellet guns to disperse the crowd, and later opened fire.
As well as the civilians, at least three Indian soldiers and 13 freedom fighters died in Sunday’s violence. Forces personnel are also seen in areas enforcing restrictions.
Authorities have ordered closure of all colleges and schools in the Valley on Monday as a precaution.
Several protests and clashes also erupted in Srinagar and other parts of the disputed region.
The separatists, under the banner of joint resistance leadership (JRL), extended the strike in Kashmir by another day. At many places security forces barricaded the routes with concertina wires and police vehicles in the city.
Pakistan, which has fought three wars with India over control of Kashmir, condemned the violence as a “mindless killing spree” and said those slaughtered were innocents.
Besides cross-border tensions, India’s majority-Muslim Kashmir Valley has been embroiled in a violent secessionist movement since 1989. India accuses Pakistan of arming and training the rebels, a charge Pakistan denies.
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Following the clashes, the authorities suspended the internet connections in most of Kashmir.
