With militants possibly attempting to enter villages from forest areas, Jammu and Kashmir government has imposed prohibitory orders on night movement of civilians in Kupwara district.
“District Magistrate Kupwara M S Rather has imposed section 144 CrPC in the district which will remain effective for next 60 days from January 3,” an official spokesman said.
The Army, security forces and police have been ordered to carry out security arrangements during the night hours throughout the district, he said.
“No movement of any kind shall be allowed in the area falling within five km of the border belt from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am,” he said.
In case of any emergency, civilians living within five km of the border belt have been asked to carry lanterns to establish their identity so that any untoward incident arising out any misunderstanding is avoided, he said.
The orders were issued a day after an unidentified civilian was killed in army firing during an ambush laid by the troops at Warnaw in Lolab area of Kupwara district following information about movement of militants in the area.
Official sources said with snowfall in higher reaches of the border areas of Kupwara, militants, who have been hiding in the forests during the summer, might try to enter villages to escape the extreme weather conditions.
