Hizib commander Sabzar, associate killed in Tral Gunfight
Sabzar’s killing triggers clashes, protests across Valley
SRINAGAR : A top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, who was a close aide of Commander Burhan Wani was killed along with his associate Faizan Bhat in Tral Gunfight with security forces on Saturday.
Reports said that the slain commander Sabzar of Ratsuna village of Tral was killed in a gunfight at Saimoo village, which broke out on Friday evening.
The operation was conducted by army along with police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) based on an input about the presence of militants, official said.
As soon as the news about Sabzaar’s killing spread, shopkeepers downed their shutters at several places to mourn the death of the slain commander.
Protests and clashes broke out between forces and youth in several parts of the Valley including Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Pampore, Srinagar, Sopore and Bandipora.
In Tral a civilian was killed and several others injured after being hit by bullets during clashes. Witnesses said that forces opened fire to disperse the protesters, resulting into injuries to several civilians.
Reports said, one of them, identified as Molvi Aqib Ahmad of Khanqah Tral, succumbed at Sub-district Hospital Tral. He had received a bullet in his forehead, it adds. “Two others were shifted to SMHS and Bone and Joints Hospital Barzulla for treatment”.
“We were marching towards the encounter site in Saimoh, but the forces opened fire on us,” said an injured civilian undergoing treatment at Sub-district Hospital Tral, according to media reports.
In ANANTNAG, more than 35 people were injured during clashes. One among the injured who has been identified as Sameer of Kehribal was referred to Srinagar hospital while two others are being treated in Anantnag’s district hospital.
Reports also reaching that one of the injured from Mattan area of the district who has suffered a head injury was referred to SMHS hospital for specialized treatment.
In district PULWAMA intense clashes between protesters and security forces soon after the news about the killing of top Hizb commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat spread in the district.
The forces used heavy tear smoke shells to quell the protesters. Intense clashes were going on at many places in the district when this report was filed.
In KULGAM, people clashed with forces, who used heavy tear smoke shells to quell the protesters.
In SHOPIAN at least sixteen persons were injured during clashes. Reports said that sixteen persons were treated at the hospital adding that three among them, one with fracture and two with eye injuries were referred to Srinagar for specialized treatment.
In MAISUMA area of Srinagar, clashes erupted between protesters and forces. The forces used heavy tear smoke shells to quell the protesters. Clashes were also witnessed in downtown area of Srinagar following the news of Sabzar’s death. The commercial hub lalchowk also witnessed spontaneous shutdown to mourn the death of militants.
In BANDIPORA, a complete shutdown was observed after the news about the killing of Sabzar spread in the town. Reports said that people clashed with the forces at many places in the town. However, the forces resorted to heavy tear smoke shelling to quell the protesters.
In SOPORE a complete shutdown was observed after Sabzar’s killing. Reports said that students clashed with the forces at many places in the town. However, the forces resorted to heavy tear smoke shelling to quell the protesters.
In KANGAN three female protesters including an elderly woman were reportedly injured during clashes. Eyewitness said that the students of girl’s higher secondary school, Kangan were protesting against the killing of Militant commander Sabzar, following which clashes erupted in the area. Reports also reaching that forces resort to cane charges, tear gas shelling to disperse the student.
Meanwhile a statement issued by the police regarding the situation across valley reads, ” Today in the afternoon stone pelting incidents were reported from about two dozen places from different areas of the Kashmir valley.
Police said that the gatherings of miscreants pelted stones on police establishments and forces camps.
“They also pelted stones on the moving vehicles on the busy roads and in the Chowks. Police and security forces rushed to tackle these mobs. They were also pelted upon in which 25 police and security forces personnel were injured. The police and security forces personnel showed utmost restraint in tacking these unruly mobs. During these incidents 12 miscreants were also injured”, it adds.
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