Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and dozens of Shia mourners were on Thursday detained as police scuttled separatist plan to mark the fourth day ceremony of slain trucker Zahid Bhat and stage a Muharram procession in violation of prohibitory orders.
General Rawat also sent a tough message to Pakistan, saying if Islamabad continues to support cross-border terrorism, then the Indian Army can resort to "other actions" too.
A massive operation has been launched to track down the attackers, who fled the spot.
Mobile services were partially restored in the Valley which has been rocked by violence since July 8.
The encounter took place at Aribagh in Nowgam area on the outskirts of Srinagar, the official said.
Barring a stone pelting incident at Soibagh area in Budgam district, the situation was peaceful in the areas where the polling was held, the officials said.
Ghulam Nabi Azad, in his first public meeting in Jammu after quitting Congress, announced to launch his own political outfit that will focus on the restoration of full statehood.
Weapons and war-like stores were recovered from the encounter site.
Among those abducted included brother of a deputy superintendent of police.
Curfew has been lifted from all parts of Kashmir except Anantnag town
The security forces had then described the arrest of Gazi as a major success in their anti-insurgency operations in the state. He was presented in the district court at Anantnag on Thursday where his detention under the Public Safety Act was set aside by the court. The judge released Gazi and he was handed over to his lawyer.
Four militants, including three of Hizbul Mujahideen, were on Monday killed in two gunfights during search operations in the Kashmir valley, officials said.
In Jammu region, three districts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua are in red zone.
Shehbaz, the 70-year-old younger brother of former three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif, has served as chief minister of the country's most populous and politically crucial Punjab province thrice.
Of these, 6,221 were injured due to pellets, 368 due to bullets, four due to pava shells and 2,449 suffered other injuries, the J-K CM said.
The enhanced allowance will be applicable to all paramilitary personnel deployed in Jammu and Kashmir and Naxal-hit areas.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday launched a veiled attack on Congress leaders and said he gave sweat and blood for the party unlike those who are spreading 'falsehood' through social media.
A flood alert was sounded in Srinagar city on Thursday as river Jhelum was flowing four feet above the danger mark after incessant rain, while 23 villages have been inundated by floods in south Kashmir districts of Anantnag and Kulgam.
There were no reports of anyone getting hurt in these clashes.
Restrictions were imposed in north Kashmir and some areas of central Kashmir to thwart the march announced by separatists to Jamia Masjid.
A flood alert was sounded on Thursday in Srinagar city as River Jhelum was flowing four feet above the danger mark after incessant rain, while 23 villages have been inundated by floods in south Kashmir districts of Anantnag and Kulgam.
In order to consider giving mobile Internet connectivity on such SIM cards, the telecom service providers will have to verify the credentials of the subscribers.
There will be total of 51 seats going to polls spread across 7 states in the fifth phase.
Out of the 280 constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, 43 are going to polls in the second phase with 25 in Kashmir and 18 in Jammu division.
The separatist camp have called for an 'Aazadi march' to district headquarters on Saturday as part of their protest schedule.
The sources said two other people, suspected to be overground workers for militants, have also been detained for questioning.
The heightened militancy this year in Pulwama is receiving ground support with the local people posing maximum resistance to the forces.
"Four policemen, three Central Reserve Police Force personnel and four civilians were injured in the terror attack."
The decision on redeployment was taken after intelligence reports said South Kashmir had turned into a militant hub.
The fourth phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir ended peacefully on Sunday recording a turnout of 49 per cent, the lowest compared to the earlier three phases.
Here are some of the big political leaders' who await their fate on Monday.
Shops and business establishments which had remained closed for 79-days due to separatist call for shut down opened on Sunday after 2 pm.
Restrictions under Section 144 CrPc have been imposed in few areas of the valley to maintain law and order, the officials said.
A man of perseverance and great survivor, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed had an astute political sense honed by decades of experience in Kashmir politics that has stood him in good stead in crafting a delicate alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party to return as chief minister for the second time.
India has maintained there is no scope for a third party mediation.
Two militants were killed while an army major and a trooper were wounded in a ongoing fierce encounter in south Kashmir's Shopian district.
Normal life remained paralysed for the 42nd day in the Valley which has been rocked by violence after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the damages in the state due the worst floods in more than a century would run into "many thousands of crores" but he would approach the Centre only after the final assessment is complete.
The Global Terrorism Index 2017 released by the Australia-based Institute for Economics and Peace provides a comprehensive summary of the key global trends and patterns in terrorism over the last 17 years in covering the period from the beginning of 2000 to the end of 2016. According to the report, this is the second consecutive year, deaths from terrorism declined. Over the two years there was a decrease of 22 per cent compared to the peak of terror activity in 2014. Terrorism deaths have fallen significantly in Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. However, Islamic State defied this positive trend with over 9,000 deaths, primarily in Iraq and increased activity in OECD countries.
