Shopian, Publish Date: Dec 19 2017
Two militants were killed in a gunfight while a woman died and over 50 protesters got injured in ensuing clashes in Batmurran village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Tuesday.
The gunfight began last evening when army and SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched an operation after a tip-off.
Two militants were killed in the overnight gunfight after forces blasted two houses, razing them to ground. Three adjacent houses also suffered partial damages, reports and witnesses said.
One of the deceased militant was identified as Tanveer Ahmad Bhat of Batmurran village and another as a non-local Ali @Qari, said an official.
Three militants were believed to be trapped inside the house when the gunfight began last evening. The third militant gave a slip to the forces.
Forces used live bullets, pellets and teargas shells to disperse the protesters, said an eye witness.
During the clashes, over 50 protesters were injured, with five of them sustaining gunshot wounds.
One of the injured, identified as Beauty Jan (24), was rushed to District Hospital Pulwama for treatment. However, she succumbed on the way, said a witness.
A health official confirmed that 11 injured were brought to Rajpora hospital. He said three were hit by bullets. “While two of them were being treated at the hospital, one of them with a chest wound was shifted to Srinagar for specialized treatment,” he said.
Reports said that 24 injured were admitted at District Hospital Pulwama. “Three had suffered bullet injuries. They were shifted to Srinagar,” said an official, adding that 23 injured were being treated at Brathipora hospital.
Meanwhile, funeral prayers of the deceased militant and the woman were attended by thousands of people in Batmurran village.
