Security forces gunned down three suspected militants of Hizbul Mujahideen in an encounter on Saturday in Pulwama district of Kashmir, after which some locals resorted to violent protests leading to suspension of train service between Srinagar and Banihal for the day.
A senior police officer said troops of counter insurgency Rashtriya Rifles and local police had jointly surrounded Panzgam village near Awantipora early Saturday, on specific information about presence of a group of militants there.
“As the security forces were busy in searches, militants opened fire, triggering an encounter at the end of which three militants of Hizbul Mujaheedin outfit were killed,” he said.
The slain militants have been identified as Ashfaq Ahmad Dar, Haseeb Ahmad and Ishfaq Ahmad Baba.
A defence spokesman said three AK-47 rifles were recovered from the slain militants.
After the gunfight, a grenade lying there exploded, injuring a civilian who was among those who had assembled at the encounter site, a police official said.
The civilian, Wakeel Ahmed Shergujri, was taken to SKIMSHospital in Srinagar where his condition is said to be stable.
When the news of the death of the three militants spread, some locals staged protests and pelted stones on security forces, who fired teargas in retaliation, the official said.
Because of these clashes, train services between Srinagar and Banihal were suspended by railway authorities for the day.
“The train service has been suspended for today due to the prevailing law and order situation in Pulwama where from the trains pass towards Banihal,” a Railway official said.
He said the decision was taken in view of apprehensions of protests in the area which may have lead to damage to railway property.
With inputs from Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar.
Image used for representational purposes only.
