A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)-rank police officer, a soldier and three Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists were killed and six persons, including three civilians, were injured in an encounter in Kulgam on Sunday. The Kashmir Valley remained tense for the second straight day and observed a shutdown over fears of an escalation of India-Pakistan tensions and scrapping of Article 35A.
“The police officer died in the initial exchange of fire with the hiding JeM terrorists at Turigam-Yaripora area of Kulgam,” said Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh. Deceased DSP Aman Thakur from J&K’s Doda had joined the police in 2011 and “played a key role in strategising against JeM terrorists” as operations head of an anti-militancy cell. He is survived by his wife and six-year-old son. The deceased jawan belonged to the Army’s 34 Rashtriya Rifles. The police said the three JeM men slain had not been identified.
Three security personnel, including a Major-rank officer, were injured in the encounter.
Three civilians were injured, two of whom sustained bullet wounds, in the clashes near the encounter site, said an official on the condition of anonymity.
The Kulgam encounter was the second major operation against the JeM since February 14 when a suicide car bombing killed 40 CRPF jawans in Pulwama.
Governor Satya Pal Malik, who chaired a meeting of the State Administrative Council (SAC) on Sunday, appealed for calm.
“The induction of 100 companies should be seen in the backdrop of election preparedness. Shortage of essentials was because of the highway closure. The J&K government has requested the Supreme Court for deferment of the hearing (on Article 35A) and its stand continues to be the same,” said J&K government spokesman Rohit Kansal.