Saturday 27 May 2017

Kashmir Resistance camp calls for shutdown on May 28, 29

Resistance camp
calls for shutdown on May 28, 29

Srinagar, Publish Date: May 28 2017 1:10AM | Updated Date: May 28 2017 1:10AM




The joint resistance leadership including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik has called for complete shutdown on May 28 and 29 against killing of Hizb commander Sabzar Ahmad and his associate in Tral, and six other militants in Rampur sector.

The joint resistance leaders while paying tributes to slain militants blamed Indian authorities for “prevailing appalling situations” in the state, saying that “their (Indian authorities) rigid and unrealistic approach is the root cause of uncertainty in state.”

 “We condemn the use of unjustified and brute force against peaceful mourners and ask people to attend condolence meeting on May 30 in Tral to pay tributes to slain youth. Excessive and unjustified use of brute force against peaceful mourners and killing of a civilian in Tral is state sponsored terrorism. It is inevitable to call shutdown against this inhuman and senseless act to register our resentment,” they said.

Elaborating, they said that “millions of people in 2008, 2010 and 2016 while pursuing their genuine struggle, insisted for right to self-determination” and instead of showing any serious concern, “were showered with bullets and pellets.”

“Hundreds were brutally killed, thousands maimed and scores blinded. Indian authorities have adopted unrealistic and stubborn attitude. Youth of state feel highly distressed and are left with no option but to pick up arms. Our brave hearts are highly educated, mature, dedicated and committed to cause. Most of these youths were haunted, chased and subjected to third degree torture by police and forces, thus compelled to pick up arms against this barbarism and forced slavery,” they said.

“It is natural phenomenon and resentment and as such those youth subjected to humiliation and torture have only one option to resent the coercion with might and their resolve,” they said.

Paying glorious tributes to the slain, the leadership said, “It is moral duty to pay our respects to these brave hearts. Our children are choosing this path because of the rigidity and stubbornness of India and they are sacrificing their today for the tomorrow of their nation.”

Condemning the forces for “unjustified and brute force” on peaceful mourners, resistance leadership blamed authorities for “adding fuel to fire.”

The leaders said restraining them “to mourn our slain youth is against all ethics and condemnable.”

Burhan Wani's successor Sabzar Bhat killed in Kashmir

Successor of Burhan Wani Sabzar Bhat
Burhan Wani's successor Sabzar Bhat among nine killed in Kashmir, clashes erupt

Bhat was among eight militants killed in two separate gunfights in north and south Kashmir. A civilian was also killed after forces opened fire on people marching towards the encounter site in Saimoh village of Tral in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Srinagar, Publish Date: May 27 2017 4:01PM | Updated Date: May 27 2017 4:04PM

Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, who succeeded Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, was killed in an encounter with government forces in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

Bhat was among eight militants killed in two separate gunfights in north and south Kashmir. A civilian was also killed after forces opened fire on people marching towards the encounter site in Saimoh village of Tral in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Six militants were killed after army claimed to have foiled an infiltration bid in Rampur sector of Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Two militants, including Sabzar Bhat – a lieutenant of slain Hizb commander Burhan Wani killed on July 8 last year – and Faizan were killed in an encounter in Saimoh.

The killing of Bhat has triggered protests and clashes across Kashmir valley. Dozens of people have been injured in the ensuing clashes.

Kashmir: Top Hizb commander Sabzar killed in Tral

People carry body of Hizb Commander Sabzar Bhat to his home. PHOTO: Mir Wasim/GK
Kashmir: Top Hizb commander Sabzar killed in Tral
2 houses destroyed, 2 militants escape: Claim locals

ABID BASHIR
Srinagar, Publish Date: May 28 2017 12:48AM | Updated Date: May 28 2017 2:24AM

A top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat and his close aide Faizan Ahmed were killed in a gunfight with the government forces at Tral in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday. 

A top police official said, “Soon after the militants believed to be Sabzar and his two aides, attacked an army patrol at Saimoh village in Tral on Friday evening, forces laid a siege of around three villages. There was no clue about the exact location of the house where the militants were hiding but we were sure that militants were holed up.

“As the inputs were further corroborated, during the night long cordon and with the first light of the day the house where militants had taken a refuge in Saimoh village was zeroed in on and both the militants were killed.”

Locals said as the search was on, the forces blew up two residential houses using explosives. “One house of Abdul Rashid Mir was set ablaze by forces on late Friday night although there was no militant inside.

“However, on early Saturday morning forces conducted house to house searches.  As soon as the force personnel entered into the house of Ghulam Hassan Bhat, where militants were hiding, the militants fired on them. Forces returned the fire triggering an encounter in which both the militants were killed,” sources added.

The slain militants were identified as Sabzar Bhat son of Ghulam Hassan Bhat of Rathsun, Tral and his associate Faizan Ahmed son of Muzaffar Ahmed Bhat of Darul Uloom Road Tral.

Locals claimed at least two militants, including Adil Rashid Chopan, of Lurow village managed to flee from the encounter spot after people rushed to help them escape. “We saw them in an injured condition but they managed to escape successfully,” locals said.

A Police official said that Sabzar had joined militant ranks in April 2015 after snatching a riffle from force personnel and was a close confidant of slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
Meanwhile, Director General of Police (DGP) Dr S P Vaid termed Sabzar’s killing a “great success” for the forces, including Army and CRPF.

An Army officer said that they had a specific lead about the presence of the Hizb commander. “The encounter was conducted in a very coordinated and smooth manner,” the officer said.

“Army’s 42 RR, Special Operation Group of Police and 180 bn of CRPF were involved in the operation,” he said.

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