Security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir say that 10 people including five militants were killed in Shopian district. Among those killed were five civilian protesters and five militants including an assistant professor at the Kashmir University.
Quoting police sources, news agency IANS reported that a protesting civilian, Adil Ahmad, who was injured during the clashes, was declared dead on arrival by doctors at the Kulgam district hospital. Reports from the area said Adil was injured in Behibagh village in Kulgam district.
Three other civilians, Sajad Ahmad of Dooru in Anantnag district, Zubair Ahmad of Pulwama and Yasir Ahmad of Shopian, also succumbed to their injuries. This was after Asif Ahmad of Rohmou village of Pulwama died in a Srinagar hospital due to injuries suffered in the clashes.
The five militants killed in encounter are being identified as Hizbul commander Saddam Paddar, Kashmir University assistant professor Muhammad Rafi Bhat, Tawseef Sheikh, Molvi Bilal and Adil Ahmad.
Jammu and Kashmir Police chief Shesh Vaid tweeted, “The encounter is over at Badigam in Shopian and bodies of five terrorists have been recovered…Well done boys – Army/CRPF/J&K Police.”
Encounter concluded at Badigam Zainpora Shopian, 5 bodies of terrorists recovered. Well done boys – Army/ CRPF/J&K Police.
— Shesh Paul Vaid (@spvaid) May 6, 2018
The professor killed in the encounter hailed from Chunduna village of Ganderbal district. The IANS report added that classes in Kashmir University had been suspended on Monday and Tuesday. Authorities have handed over the professor’s body to his family for burial.
Reacting to professor’s killing, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted: “Sadly this is also an answer to those who claim jobs and development are the solution to the violence and alienation in Kashmir. This is another tragic development in a steady stream of tragedies in Kashmir.”
Sadly this is also an answer to those who claim jobs & development are the solution to the violence & alienation in Kashmir. This is another tragic development in a steady stream of tragedies in Kashmir. https://t.co/MpMGifgVWi
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 6, 2018
Mobile Internet services in south Kashmir and in Ganderbal district have been suspended to prevent the spread of rumours. Senior police officer SP Pani claimed that his forces had made several attempts to persuade the professor to surrender and even brought his family from Ganderbal, to talk to him, but he didn’t agree, reported NDTV.
The professor was reportedly meeting the Hizb commander when the security forces launched their operation.