Police foils separatist march to Kulgam
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Oct 24: Two Hizbul Mujhideen militants were killed in an encounter between security forces and militants in Nowgam area on the outskirts of Srinagar today.
Security forces on the outskirts of Srinagar launched a cordon and search operation this morning after inputs about the presence of militants hiding in a house in Nowgam area of Srinagar. Militants fired upon the search party during searches of the area and security forces retaliated leading to an encounter.
Two militants were killed in the encounter which lasted for several hours during which huge blasts were heard. The militants were identified as Sabzar Ahmad Sofi and Asif Ahmad Shergojiri of Hizbul Mujahideen.
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Sabzar from Naina, Sangam in Anantnag, had completed his MSc from Barkatullah University in 2013-14 and M Phil from Jivagee University Gwalior before joining Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi in 2016. Sabzar also qualified NET, JRF and started coaching for IAS. The family bid him goodbye hoping he would fly to New Delhi. For next three months, his father could not establish any contact with him owing to communication blockade in the Valley. However in October 2016, the family was shocked to know that Sabzar, instead of flying to Delhi, has joined the militancy.
A police spokesman said here that Sabzar Ahmad Sofi, son of Bashir Ahmad Sofi of Naina Sangam in district Anantnag had joined militant ranks in year 2016 and was involved in several attacks on security establishments and many other civilian atrocities in district Anantnag.
“He was involved in many terror cases including FIR No. 22/2018 under Section 13 ULAP Act at Police Station Bijbehara. Sabzar Ahmad was involved in killing of one civilian lady namely Biba wife of Mohammad Yousuf Matto of Naina Batapora in the evening of 28-10-2016,” police said.
Police spokesman said that Asif Ahmad Shergojiri alias Khubaib, son of Ali Mohammad Shergojiri of Khiram Anantnag had joined the militant ranks this year in January and was actively involved in attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities in the area.
“He was involved in many terror cases and the prominent cases include FIR No. 04/2018 under Section 13 ULAP Act registered at Police Station Srigufwara and FIR No. 15/2018 under Section 15/2018 and Section 451, 392,506 RPC, 7/25 Arms Act registered at Police Station Srigufwara,” he said.
Police said that incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. “Police has registered a case and investigation has been initiated,” the statement added.
“After wrapping up the operation, recovering the dead bodies of the militants and arms and ammunition, the operational parties took security precautions with regard to sanitization of the area”, police said.
Clashes also broke out between youth and security forces near the gunfight site in Nowgam here.
Youth took to streets and threw stones at police and paramilitary forces deployed around the encounter site, who in retaliation fired teargas to disperse them.
Meanwhile, thousands of people participated in the funeral prayers of Sabzar Sofi
The funeral of Sabzar was held just few hundred meters on Srinagar-Jammu highway in which people in large number participated. A group of militants also appeared in the funeral prayer of Sabzar and offered him a gun salute at his native Sangam area of Bijbehara in South Kashmir.
Clashes also broke out in Sangam area in this morning after the news about Sabzar’s death spread. Several protesters were injured in the clashes.
Meanwhile, soon after the gunfight ended, the district administration Srinagar ordered closure of schools and colleges for a day as a precautionary measure.
The class work at Kashmir University also remained suspended on the orders of varsity officials. The decision has been taken to avoid law and order situation in the varsity.
The mobile internet services in Srinagar were suspended this morning soon after the gunfight broke out between forces and militants in Nowgam area of Srinagar.
The separatists today called for strike against the killing of Sabzar and his associate in Kashmir tomorrow.
And authorities today sealed off all roads leading to Kulgam to foil protest march called by separatists against the killing of seven civilians in the South Kashmir district on Sunday.
Restriction were imposed in sensitive areas in South Kashmir including Kulgam to foil the march.
Separatist leaders – Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Mallik- had appealed people, especially those living in South Kashmir districts to march towards village Laroo in Kulgam district to express sympathy and the solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones in Kulgam blast.
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