By Hanan Zafar , MuslimMirror.com
Srinagar: 13 militants, four civilians and three security forces were killed while about 200 protesters were injured on Sunday in Kashmir, as spring announced its arrival in the valley.
Reports suggest many protesters were hit by pellets in their eyes.
The militants were killed in three separate encounters in the volatile south Kashmir region. As thousands of people participated in funerals of militants, security forces fired pellets and tear gas canisters to disperse them, resulting in more injuries. Protesters retaliated with stone pelting and pro-freedom slogans.
The killings sparked widespread protests in the valley as youth could be seen throwing stones at the security forces at different places especially in south Kashmir. An instantaneous shutdown was observed in all major towns.
Government also snapped mobile internet services across the valley.
Army termed the day as ‘special’ in the history of counter-terror operations in valley. Lt General A K Bhatt, General Officer Commanding, 15 Corps while speaking to media said “Two of the seven militants were involved in the killing of Lt Ummer Fayaz last May. We have avenged his death and we will carry out operations against anybody who uses gun as we have carried out today,” said Bhatt.
Meanwhile, All Parties Hurriyat Conference -the leading pro freedom party in the valley- termed the killings as worst form of state terrorism. In a tweet Chairman of Hurriyat (M), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, blaming government for forcing youth to pick up arms said “As long as Govt of India addresses the political and humanitarian problem of Kashmir militarily and through force, Kashmiri will continue to die or be forced to pick up arms for resistance and the onus for this and its repercussions is entirely on them.”
The killings have descended entire valley into pall of gloom, as experts fear another round of summer protests. Government, meanwhile, fearing student protests has ordered all schools and educational institutes to shut down on Monday.