Kashmir observes shutdown against civilian killings

Srinagar: A complete shutdown was observed in Kashmir on Sunday against the killing of two civilians and two militants by the government forces in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, even as restrictions remained imposed at several places to thwart protests.
Separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Yasin Malik, had called for a Valley-wide protest shutdown against the killings.
Heavy contingents of police and central reserve police force (CRPF) personnel in full riot gears were deployed in strength in south Kashmir and in parts of Srinagar.
All major road intersections in Old City Srinagar were blocked with coils of razor wire, cross parking of security force vehicles and makeshift barricades.
The district administration had imposed restrictions under Section 44 in many parts of the Old City.
Public transport remained off the road. Shops, other businesses, educational institutions, post offices, banks and government offices remained closed as it was a Sunday.
“The situation throughout Kashmir valley remained peaceful on Sunday,” a police official said.
Two civilians Tahira (42) and Shadab Ahmad Chopan (22) were killed in Brenthi village of Anantnag on Saturday.
The police said they were killed in the cross-firing between the security force and the holed-up militants. However, locals said the two civilians were killed in clashes.
Youth pelted stones at security forces to disrupt the anti-militancy operation in which two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants, including a top commander Bashir Lashkari and his Pakistani associate Abu Maaz, were also killed.
Meanwhile, thousands of people participated in the funeral prayers of Lashkari in Soafshali in Anantnag district.
Witnesses said people, especially youth, had converged from many areas of the south Kashmir districts to offer funeral prayers to the slain militant. Amid pro-freedom slogans, the Lashkari was buried in his native village’s graveyard. (KNS)