7 civilians among 11 killed as forces clash with mob in J and K

The militants killed included army deserter Zahoor Ahmad Thoker, who belonged to Simoo village where the gunfight took place. The Army laid siege around an isolated house in the middle of an orchard following an intelligence input about the presence of the militants.

After the initial contact with the militants, the security forces completed the operation in 90 minutes, killing all three. The soldiers were taken by surprise as people started marching towards the encounter site from all directions with some of them trying to seize their weapons, police said.

A police spokesman said while the operation was going on, security forces had to resort to firing at the crowd that “came dangerously close from different parts to the encounter site”. 

Those injured in the firing were rushed to hospital, where seven civilians “unfortunately” succumbed to their injuries, the spokesman said. Unconfirmed reports put the number of civilians killed at eight.

Governor Satya Pal reviewed the law and order situation later in the day and ordered a probe by Kashmir’s divisional commissioner into the civilian deaths.

Police again issued a general advisory, asking people to stay away from the encounter site and said there was significant danger to life there.

Political parties in Kashmir condemned the killings, saying Governor Satya Pal Malik-led administration has “failed” to secure people’s lives.