Pakistan Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz has condemned the killing of top Hizbul commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat and other terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir by the Indian forces, and called upon the international community and the United Nations to call upon India to immediately stop the killings.
Accusing India of carrying out "extra-judicial killings," Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz said "12 people in Kashmir were killed by the Indian forces in Pulwama and Barmulla," Dawn reported.
Reports emanating from Kashmir Valley said that violence has been erupted in many parts following the killing of Bhat. Similar violence was reported after Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter on 8 July 2016. The authorities on Sunday clamped curfew and imposed restrictions in the Kashmir Valley to maintain law and order and prevent violence. Call facilities and internet services on mobile phones has also been suspended.
The Inciting Incident
Sabzar Ahmad Bhat who replaced Burhan Wani as the Hizbul Mujahideen's operational chief in Kashmir was killed by the security forces on Saturday morning in an encounter in Saimu sector of Tral. The Tral operation was a coordinated effort of the Rashtriya Rifles (RR), the JKP, Special Operation Group (SOG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
On Saturday, the Indian Army confirmed killing 10 heavily armed intruders and terrorists in last 24 hours. It said that relentless operations by security forces have defeated desperate attempts by Pakistan and Pakistan sponsored agents to spread terror in the Jammu and Kashmir in the run up to the holy month of Ramazan.
In the last 24 hours, 10 heavily armed intruders and terrorists have been successfully eliminated. In an ongoing counter-infiltration operation on the Line of Control in the Rampur sector, a group of 6 armed intruders have been intercepted and eliminated. In another counter-terrorist operation based on specific intelligence generated from local sources in Tral, South Kashmir has so far resulted in killing 2 terrorists.A Northern Command Release
Bhat was buried on late Saturday evening in his ancestral graveyard in Rathsun, a village in Tral tehsil. His funeral prayers (Fateha) have been scheduled on Sunday to ensure people's participation.
Violence & Curfew, Again
Though the authorities said curfew would be imposed only in seven police station areas in Srinagar on Sunday, the city was virtually sealed in the morning to prevent all kinds of vehicular movement. Heavy deployment of security forces was made in the old city areas of Srinagar to prevent violence.
One person was killed and 40 others were injured in violent clashes between the stone-pelters and security forces on Saturday. One protester was killed when protesters tried to breach the cordon of security forces in Saimoh village. In clashes at other place, 40 people including 28 protesters and 12 security men were injured. Out of the injured protesters eight are being treated for bullet injuries while seven have suffered pellet injuries and are admitted to different hospitals in Srinagar.
Restrictions under Section 144 CrPc have been imposed in areas in north Kashmir while in south Kashmir, the districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian saw unprecedented security arrangements in place to ensure minimum attendance at Bhat's funeral prayers.
The authorities suspended internet services on mobile phones on Saturday in addition to suspension of outgoing call facility on prepaid mobile phones. On Sunday morning, call facility, incoming and outgoing, have been suspended on all mobile phones whether post paid and prepaid. Only postpaid BSNL mobile phones are working at the moment.
Train services between Baramulla and Bannihal towns have been suspended. Civil service (judicial) exam scheduled on Sunday has been cancelled. All educational institutions have been ordered to remain closed on Monday in the Kashmir Valley.The separatists have called for a protest shutdown on Sunday and Monday.
In order to stop spread of false propaganda, the Jammu and Kashmir government has suspended the Internet services in the Kashmir Valley.
(With input from wires)
Also Read: In Photos: Tral Erupts in Violence After Killing of Sabzar Bhat
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