Aerial Firing North Kashmir’s Hajin, SHO Among Two Officers Injured in Clashes
Five Arrested as Protests Erupt Across Bandipora
Bandipora, July 3, KNT: Authorities on Wednesday foiled the “Markundal and Kondabal Challo” call issued by Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani by imposing strict curfew in several areas of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, triggering clashes at multiple locations that left at least two police officers injured.
Curfew was enforced in Markundal, Kondabal, Naidkhai, Hajin and adjoining areas, with heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces. Barbed wire barricades were laid and mobile bunkers erected to prevent movement towards Kondabal and Markundal, where condolence and prayer gatherings had been called in favour of Irfan Ganai and Tariq Ahmed Leharwal, who were allegedly killed by the Army earlier this week.
Authorities placed several separatist leaders under house arrest, including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Muhammad Yasin Malik and Javid Ahmad Mir. Despite restrictions, Geelani and Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Syeda Aasiya Andrabi addressed people over telephone and paid tributes to the slain youth.
Clashes were reported from Hajin, Papchan, Sumbal, Kurhama, Barsoo, Palhalan and Pattan as groups of youth took to the streets carrying green flags and raising slogans. Protestors attempted to march towards Kondabal Mansbal, the residence of Tariq Leharwal. Police responded with tear smoke shells, and aerial firing was reported in Hajin to disperse stone-pelting crowds.
Station House Officer Kheer Bhawani Imtiyaz Ahmad Mir and another officer from Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police sustained injuries during clashes at Kurhama and Barsoo. At least five persons were arrested in connection with stone pelting incidents, including several from Hajin.
In Palhalan, panic spread after police fired multiple tear gas shells to disperse protestors. Though no curfew was imposed in Pattan, inhabitants observed a spontaneous shutdown in mourning.
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed for the second consecutive day in Pulwama, Pampore, Sambora, Tral, Kakapora and Awantipora against the killing of three militants in Mandoor Tral. Protestors damaged vehicles in parts of Pulwama during demonstrations. [KNT]
