SRINAGAR: Seven civilians were killed and 10 injured in a cross fire between security forces and gunmen in Ganderbal 18 km from here Friday. Meanwhile the entire Kashmir valley Saturday observed a militant sponsored bandh to protest against the “atrocities by security forces”.
According to reports a group of militants hurled a grenade on a security forces picket in Ganderbal town and later exchanged fire with the security men At least five civilian caught in the crossfire were killed on the spot. The condition of some of the injured was stated to be serious.
It was not clear as to how many of those killed were militants as the officials have maintained silence on the episode.
The call for the bandh was given by the “Muslim Liberation Council” a banned outfit. Many business establishments remained closed traffic was off the roads and attendance in offices was extremely poor throughout the valley.
The cause for the bandh call was the alleged rape by security men of a mentally retarded woman in downtown Srinagar during a search operation. The authorities have already ordered an inquiry into the case
The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front has also given a call for a two day bandh in the valley starting Sunday to protest against the confinement of its chairman Amanullah Khan by some unidentified persons in Muzaffarabad a town in Pakistan occupied Kashmir
JKLF Commander in Chief Javed Mir came down heavily upon the accused and the POK authorities for having a hand in Khans “arrest”. It described it as “cowardly act” on their part In a press release Javed Mir said both the Pakistan and the POK governments were antagonized by Amanullah Khans briefing to a visiting British parliamentary delegation about the “aspirations of the Kashmiri people”. The outfit warned both governments against attempts to harm the JKLF chairman.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 24, 1992
