| Four civilians killed, soldier martyred; militants escape | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Apr 11: Four civilians and a soldier were killed on Wednesday as a fierce gunfight between militants and security forces in Kulgam sparked off violent street protests.
Sepoy S. Gunakar Roy was martyred when militants hiding in a house in Wani Mohalla in Khudwani area fired at security personnel closing in on them. Two other security personnel were wounded in the fighting. The security forces fired back at the militants, said to be linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). As the fighting raged, hundreds of people poured out of their homes and attacked the security forces with stones, prompting security personnel to open fire. Four people were killed in firing, who were identified as Aijaz Ahmad Palla, 30, Faisal Elahi, 15, Bilal Ahmad Dar, 17, and Sharjeel Sheikh 28.
Police issued a statement saying the civilian deaths took place as a result of crossfire between the militants and security forces. This was strongly contested by locals who assert that the civilians were shot dead by the security forces determined to break up the street protests. Later, troops fired explosives to destroy the house where the militants had been hiding. Two other houses in the vicinity caught fire, but there was no trace of the militants, who managed to escape in the clashes between civilians and security forces.
Four injured civilians have been referred to Srinagar for specialized treatment. Informed sources said over 40 civilians were injured in street clashes. The condition of two of them was said to be critical. |
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