Train service remain suspended in south Kashmir

Srinagar: Train service remained suspended for security reasons on Wednesday in south Kashmir, where people are protesting demanding handing over of two of the five bodies of militants killed in an encounter near the Line of Control (LoC) in Tanghdar sector on May 25.
However, all trains are running as per schedule on Srinagar-Badgam and Baramulla in north Kashmir normally, a senior railway official told UNI.
He said after operating few trains in the morning in the south Kashmir, the service was again suspended following fresh advisory received from police.
”All trains running on Srinagar-Banihal track via Pulwama, Anantnag and Qazigund in south Kashmir were suspended since 1300 hrs on Tuesday following protests by locals at Awantipora railway station,” he said.
The decision to suspend the train service was taken on the advice by local authorities and police in view of protests by locals, demanding bodies of two of the five militants killed in an encounter near the LoC in Tangdhar sector.
However, few trains operated on the Srinagar-Banihal route this morning, he said adding but had to suspend remaining train on this route for security reasons, he said.
People in Pulwama are protesring demanding the body of Mudasir Ahmad Bhat who was among five militants killed when security forces foiled infiltration bid from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) at Eagle post in Tangdhar sector in the frontier district of Kupwara on May 25.
The demonstrators alleged that authorities were delaying handing over the body to the family members who have identified Mudasir.
This is the third time train service was suspended in the Kashmir valley partially or fully this month. Last month the service, which has become very popular because it is being considered cheap, fast and safe journey as compared to other mode of transport.
In the past, railway property had suffered massive damage during protests in the valley, where the train services remained suspended for about six months during summer unrest in 2016 while last year the service was suspended for over 50 times for security reasons, mainly during the strike called by separatists.