One killed as villagers clash with security personnel during raid on militant hideout in J&K

“The security forces exercised maximum restraint and 17 security personnel, including an officer, got injured. A police vehicle was also set ablaze by the mob. During the uncontrolled rioting, three rioters received firearm injuries, out of which, one Parvaiz Ahmed Guroo succumbed to his injuries. The condition of other two rioters is said to be stable,” said police.

Medical Superintendent of SMHS Hospital in Pulwama, Nazir Choudhary, said that four men were admitted to the hospital with bullet injuries.

Police have identified the slain militant as Shariq Ahmed Bhat of Brow Bandana, Awantipora. The 20-year-old had joined militancy some nine months ago, said sources.

According to sources, the J&K Police, Army and CRPF launched a search operation in the village on Tuesday evening after they received a tiff off about the presence of three militants near Naina village.

“As the search operation was underway, militants opened indiscriminate fire on security forces. During the ensuing encounter, more than 50 civilians who got entrapped in a nearby mosque were rescued safely by the police… Meanwhile, a large number of rioters reach the site of the encounter and started pelting stones on the security personnel, leading to clashes,’’ said police.

The death of the villager was condemned by political leaders with former J&K chief minister and NC working president Omar Abdullah tweeting: “The tinderbox that was Pulwama finally burst in to flames today. RIP Parvez Ahmed Guroo. May your soul rest in eternal peace. #Kashmir’.’’

Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Geelani, who has called a strike in South Kashmir on Thursday, c alled it “worst form of state terrorism”.

The chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, also condemned the killing and said that “one more innocent was killed by trigger-happy forces”.