Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday reviewed situation in Kashmir at a high-level meeting amid a shutdown for second consecutive day against killing of 13 militants and four civilians in a series of encounters between militants and security forces on Sunday and subsequent protests of unarmed civilians.

An official spokesman said that Chief Minister impressed upon the officers dealing with security situation to ensure that collateral damage was avoided and all the Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) in this regard were strictly adhered to.

Senior civil and police officers briefed the CM, who cut short her visit to New Delhi after the situation worsened in Kashmir, about the overall situation in the Kashmir Valley. She inquired about wounded persons admitted in various Hospitals and directed the hospital authorities to ensure specialised treatment of them.

Mehbooba, who is completing two years in office on April 4, arrived amid complete shutdown in the Valley as normal life remained paralysed for the second day on separatists’ call against the recent killings.

Commercial establishments and offices remained closed, while public transport remained off the roads. Educational institutions have been closed across Kashmir.

Clashes erupted in Kangan area of Ganderbal district when a local youth succumbed to injuries at a Srinagar hospital. The youth had been injured in police action on Monday.

Medical Superintendent Dr Farooq Jan while confirming the death of Gowhar Ahmad Rather (22) said that they could save him as he had a fatal head injury.

While the locals said that Rather was hit by a bullet, police claimed that he fell down during a police chase and suffered a head injury after hitting a drain edge.

In another incident, tragedy hit a family in north Kashmir’s Hajin pocket when unknown militants barged into their house and killed a male member and injured women using knives and guns.

Police blamed Lashkar-e-Toiba militant group for abduction and killing of 32-year-old Naseer Ahmad Sheikh of Ghat Mohalla Hajin. Sheikh’s body was recovered hours after his abduction in the outskirts of Hajin.

A police spokesman said that six member group of Lashkar was involved in the killing and attack on the family.

“During investigation it has come to notice that local terrorist Mohammad Saleem Parrey has played a major role in the killing of the said innocent civilian. Five foreign terrorists affiliated with LeT, Abu Muslim, Hubaib, Khalid, Abu Hamza and Haider are also involved in the killing,” the spokesman said.

On August 27, 2017, militants had killed another family member 24-year-old Muzaffar Parray. His head was chopped off before throwing the body into river.

Courtesy: The Pioneer, Wednesday, 04 April 2018 | Khursheed Wani | Srinagar