Eleven persons including seven civilians, three militants and a soldier were killed in an encounter and ensuing clash at Monghama area of Sirnoo village in Pulwama District on December 15, reports Daily Excelsior. Security Forces (SFs) jointly launched a cordon and search operation on December 15 morning in Monghama area on specific information about the presence of militants in the area. As the SFs approached towards the militants, they were fired upon by them triggering a gun battle during which three militants and an Army soldier were killed. The slain militants were identified as Zahoor Ahmad Thoker (who had deserted Army last year and joined militancy), Adnan Hamid Bhat and Bilal Ahmad Magray (all three were local residents). The soldier was identified as Sowar Kishan Singh of Rajasthan. As the news about the killing of three militants spread in the area, the people living in the vicinity tried to march to gunfight site but SFs stopped their march, triggering intense clashes in which seven persons were killed and dozens were injured. Sources said that protesters attacked an Army Casper and tried to snatch the body of a militant. Security forces fired in air to disperse the protesters and when they failed to control them, they fired on the protesters injuring dozens.
The dead civilians were identified as Amir Ahmad Pal, Abid Hussain Lone, Liyaqat Ahmad Dar, Shahbaz Ali, Suhail Ahmad, Murtaza and Tawseef Ahmad Mir. A police spokesman said that during the search operation, which was an open field with hideout made by the militants, hiding militants fired indiscriminately leading to an encounter. The Police spokesman said that several cases were registered against the killed militant Zahoor Thokar including that of the killing of Policemen Aqib Ahmad Wagay of Puchal in Pulwama District. “Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition recovered from the site of encounter have been taken in case records for further investigation and probe their complicity in other cases,” the spokesman said. Police have also registered a case in the killing of civilians in Pulwama District and started investigations.
Meanwhile, All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik on December 15 said that South of Kashmir has been turned into a graveyard for its people especially the youth, as 11 of its residents were killed on December 15, adds Daily Excelsior. Strongly condemning the killings, APHC called for three days strike and protests against the killings and march to Army headquarters in Badami Bagh on December 17.
Further, normal life in Kashmir valley was disrupted on December 16 due to strike called by separatists while authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar to thwart any possible protest over Pulwama killings, reports Daily Excelsior. Stone pelting incidents were also reported in parts of the Valley. However, no one was injured in these incidents.
Also, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on December 15 ordered a probe into the death of seven civilians when SFs allegedly opened fire at a mob that thronged an encounter site in Pulwama District, an official spokesperson said, reports Daily Excelsior. He appealed to people to stay away from encounter sites while directing Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, to inquire into the Saturday [December 15] incident, the spokesman said. In the wake of the incident, the Governor chaired a high-level meeting of senior officers of the State and Central police forces at the Raj Bhavan where he reviewed law and order and other security related issues