6 civilians killed in blast, 3 militants killed in encounter in Kulgam village

Pall of gloom descends on valley, public movement comes to a grinding halt

Pall of gloom descends on valley, public movement comes to a grinding halt

Srinagar, Oct 21 (KNS): Three militants were killed during a gunfight in Laroo village of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district after which five civilians were killed in a powerful explosion and lately one more succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS Soura taking the death toll of civilians to six. A pall of gloom descended on entire Kashmir valley immediately after the news about the Kulgam killings spread like wild fire and public movement in Srinagar city and major towns of Kashmir valley virtually came to a grinding halt as passenger transport vehicles were rarely moving on very few roads in the Srinagar city.
Witnesses said that government forces on specific information about the presence of militants in Laroo village of Kulgam district cordoned off the area and started searches during which militants fired upon the forces from a house triggering an encounter. Three militants were killed in heavy exchange of fire between and the government forces after which locals of the area took out protests and thronged the encounter site where three civilians were killed and dozens injured in a powerful explosion. The three civilians were declared brought dead at district hospital Kulgam and two more succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.
When contacted Medical superintendent SMHS Hospital, Dr Saleem Tak told Kashmir News Service (KNS), “four hit by the blast were brought to the SMHS but two of them were found dead. The third critically injured civilian was hit by blast shell in his head and referred to SKIMS Soura. The forth injured is undergoing surgery right now but he is also critically injured.”
Medical superintendent SKIMS Soura Dr. Farooq Jan told KNS “two civilians were brought to SKIMS Soura but one of them was brought dead and the other one was referred to SKIMS medical college hospital Bemina.”
When contacted Principle SKIMS medical college Bemina Srinagar told KNS “the injured referred from SKIMS Soura is undergoing treatment. His one of the arms has been badly hit by the blast. Three senior doctors are attending the injured and every possible effort will be made to restore his physical ability.”
Meanwhile a top police official told KNS that all the three militants are locals identified as Zubair Lone son of Farooq Ahmad resident of Awhatoo Kulgam (JeM), Shahdil Tantray son of Abdul Rashid resident of Sudershenpora Wangam Shopian and Yazil Makroo son of Mushtaq Ahmad resident or Arwani Anantnag. He said all the three militants belong to Jaish-e-Mohammad militant outfit. (KNS)
 

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