Pulwama: Top Lashkar-e-Toiba commander Abu Dujana along with his associate was killed in an encounter with Government Forces in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
The gunfight started when government forces launched a search and cordon operation in Hakripora hamlet in Kakapora town of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Reports said that after receiving inputs about the presence of militants inside a house, Forces including 50 and 53 RR along with CRPF and Special Operation Group of Jammu Kashmir Police cordoned off the Hakripora village at around 4 in the morning. As the search party approached the house, militants reportedly fired upon them, triggering an encounter.
Government Forces reportedly blasted the house in which the two militants were hiding. Jammu Kashmir Police Chief Dr SP Vaid said that both the bodies were retrieved while Jammu Kashmir Police in a tweet confirmed the death of LeT commander Abu Dujana describing his killing as a great success.
Reports said that locals from surrounding villages including Lelhar, Pahoo, Newa, Begumbagh hit to roads to disrupt the operation, however, government forces used pellets and bullets to keep them at bay. Two civilians from Kakapora and Begumbagh identified as Jahangir Ahmed and Firdous Ahmed was wounded when they received bullets.
Reports added that Firdous Ahmed succumbed to his injuries while doctors said that he had received a bullet in his chest. Another civilian Jahangir Ahmed who suffered bullet in his abdomen was shifted to SMHS Hospital.
Dozens of wounded were referred to hospital for treatment. Eyewitnesses said that locals staged massive protest outside District Hospital Pulwama while government forces according to witnesses resorted to firing resulting in the injuries of many people including a hospital Nurse who has been identified as Gulzara Bano. Other injured identified as Urfi Mushtaq, Muhammad Aslam Lone and Jahangir Ahmed were shifted to SMHS Hospital Srinagar.
Meanwhile, internet service was suspended by authorities across Pulwama district to maintain law and order. As the clashes and protests spread, government snapped the internet service across Kashmir.
Rail service has already been suspended from past three days. The service was suspended after the killing of two militants in Tahab village of the Pulwama district.
Post militant killing, clashes and protests erupted in different parts of the district. Thousands of people participated in the funeral of local slain militant Arif Lelhari while mourners chanted pro-freedom and pro-Islam slogans. The body of Abu Dujana was reportedly shifted to Boniyar and handed over to local Auqaf Committee for burial. Non-local militants are buried in Boniyar Baramulla grave yard.
Reports said that heavy contingent of police and para-military troopers were deployed across Pulwama district. A police official confirmed that situation is tense but added it is under control.
