SRINAGAR: Two security men and eight militants were among 12 persons killed while the security forces nabbed 16 militants in the Kashmir valley between Sept.6-7.

A report from Shopian said shopkeepers put up the shutters and traffic went off the road when the security forces shot down four youths on Sept.6.

The four were identified as Mohammad Amin Pal, Mustaq Ahmad Bhat of the banned Hizbull Mujahideen, Mohammad Maqbool and Bashir Ahmed of the Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen,

Villagers alleged that the four militants were apprehended by the security forces on Mughal Road that evening and later killed in custody.

Militants lobed a hand grenade on BSF jawans at Nowhatta that afternoon, injuring three jawans, One of the injured jawans later succumbed to his injuries while being taken to hospital. The BSF personnel returned the fire and in the ensuing exchange of five a Civilian were killed and another boy injured. Later, shopkeepers put up the shutters and blocked traffic.

A hartal was observed at Ahrabal and the adjoining villages in South Kashmir Wednesday in protest against the alleged custodial death of Bashir Ahmad Lone, a militant; however, the official spokesman said Lone died when militants fired upon the security forces’ vehicle in which he was being taken to a hideout for arms recovery.

The spokesman said militants fired upon security forces in Doda. ‘The security men returned the fire and in the ensuing gun battle, one jawan and three militants were killed.

Panic gripped the main exchange office when militants lobbed a hand grenade on CRPF guards posted there that afternoon. However, the grenade missed the target and exploded

Without causing any damage. Windowpanes of the UNI office were shattered due to the impact of the explosion.

Militants fired upon security forces at the graveyard of the Late Sheikh Abdullah whose lith death anniversary was being observed last week. The security personnel returned the fire and there were no reports of any casualties during the exchange lasting half an hour.

The house of a migrant was destroyed in a fire at Pinglish Tral in Pulvama district. The house was allegedly set on fire by the militants the spokesman said.

Article extracted from this publication >>  September 17, 1993