Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 16: Kashmir valley observed shutdown today amidst clashes against the killing of three militants of Lashkar-e-Islam (LeI) whose bodies were recovered from an orchard in Pattan area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Three militants associated with Lashkar-e-Islam were found dead with bullet wounds in an orchard at Nihalpora area of Pattan on Monday. Their killing is mysterious and separatists are blaming security forces for their killings while the later put the blame on group rivalry.
These militants were identified as Ashiq Ahmed of Lolipora, Pattan, Amir Reshi and Naveed of Hardshiva in Sopore. All of them were associated with LeI that was responsible for the attacks on the telecoms in North Kashmir resulting in death of three persons and injuries to around half a dozen.
Shops and business establishments remained closed across Srinagar city and schools and colleges were shut. The movement of public and private transport was also largely affected.
Police and paramilitary troopers were deployed in strength in sensitive areas to prevent any violence.
Protests broke out at Habba Kadal, Kawdara, Rajouri Kadal and Saraf Kadal in old city areas. Protesters hurled stones on Police and CRPF resulting in clashes. Police lobbed dozens of teargas and pepper gas shells towards protesters. The ding dong battles continued for several hours.
Shutdown was also reported from Sopore, Pattan, Palhallan, Sangrama and other areas of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
The parts of Ganderbal, Kupwara and Bandipora districts also observed shutdown against the killing of militants.
Shutdown was observed in Shopian, Anantnag, Kulgam and Pulwama districts of south Kashmir.
Clashes between protesters and Police broke out at Kakapora in Pulwama district and Khudwani and Qaimoh areas of Kulgam district. Police fired tearsmoke to disperse the protesters.
Separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were put under house arrest while chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Yaseen Malik was arrested yesterday while on his way to Sopore.
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