People in large numbers attend funeral of deceased woman
Precious Kashmir NEws
Srinagar, Sept 17: Three Hizbul Mujahideen militants and a woman were killed and a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer injured in an encounter in Batamaloo area of Srinagar on Thursday.
Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh told a press conference here that following a tip off about the presence of militants Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF launched a joint CASO at 0300 hrs at Batmaloo area of the city.
Batmaloo is little over a km from Civil Secretariat, seat of the government, including the office of Lt Governor, his advisors and top bureaucrats and Police Control Room (PCR).
He said all exit points were sealed and with the first light this morning when security forces were moving towards target house they came under fire from militants. Security forces also retaliated ensuing in an encounter, he said adding a Deputy Commandant of CRPF who was leading Quick Action Team (QAT) and a woman were injured.
The CRPF officer was admitted to 92 Base hospital while woman was rushed to civil hospital, Singh said adding unfortunately woman identified as Kousar Reyaz succumbed.
The DGP said all the three holed-up militants were killed in the gunfight, which ended this morning.
The deceased militants belonged to Hizbul Mujahideen and they have been identified as Zakir Ahmad Paul son of Nisar Ahmad R/o Aloora Imam Sahib Shopian, Ubair Mushtaq Bhat son of Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat R/o Badragund Kulgam and Adil Hussain Bhat son of Abdul Rashid Bhat R/o Batapora Chersoo Awantipora.
A police spokesman said the slain militants were involved in several attacks in Srinagar City and South Kashmir.
The spokesman said keeping in view the prevailing pandemic due to COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of people from inherent risk of contracting the infection, the bodies of the deceased militants shall be sent to Baramulla for burial after completion of all medico-legal formalities.
However, body of woman will be handed over to her relatives for last rites since she had nothing to do with militancy, the DGP said.
He said during this year there were seven operations in Srinagar in which 16 militants, including Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and commanders of other outfits were killed.
Singh said out of these militants only five were residents of Srinagar while 11 others were from different parts of the valley.
“Normally we are initiating action against militants,” he said adding but some time militants too attack.
This year militants killed two policemen at Nowgam, two BSF jawan at Pandach and attacked a naka party at Pantha Chowk. We lost a good officer of SOG but killed three militants after Pantha Chowk attack, he said.
He said militants will not be allowed to disturb peace in the city for which every step will be taken.
Meanwhile, stone pelting incidents were reported in Batamaloo area today during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth.
However, immediately after the encounter was over and forces were leaving the area, demonstrators, mostly youth, hit the streets and pelted stones on forces.
The resorted to lathicharge and burst teargas shells to disperse the demonstrators, who were raising slogans.
The clashes continued for some time.
In the evening, authorities handed over body of the deceased woman to the family following which her last rites were performed.
People in large number attended her funeral prayers.
