BSF jawan killed in Pak. firing, Valley tense after Ismail’s death

There have been continuous ceasefire violations by the Pakistani troops for the past three days.

An Army soldier patrols near the LoC in Poonch district. File

As fresh ceasefire violation by Pakistan left a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan dead in Jammu, the situation in Kashmir remained tense in the wake of killing of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Abu Ismail and his associate in an encounter.

A BSF spokesman said Constable Bijender Bahadur was fired upon from Pakistani side around 12:20 a.m on the International Border in Jammu’s Arnia Sector.

“Mr. Bahadur was on the duty at forward point along the fence when he sustained a bullet injury on left side of abdomen. He later succumbed,” said the BSF spokesman.

Following the incident, the BSF said intermittent fire continued from both sides till morning, including mortar fire.

A wreath laying ceremony was held for the slain constable, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, at the BSF headquarter in Paloura.

Kashmir tense

In the wake of killing of Pakistani militant Ismail, most schools and colleges in several Valley districts were closed as restrictions were imposed in parts of Srinagar city to thwart any protests after Friday prayers.

There were prohibitory orders under the police stations of Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, M.R. Gunj and Safa Kadal.

No traffic was allowed. Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid were also disallowed. Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who leads the prayers there, was placed under house arrest.

Train service also remained suspended across Kashmir Valley.

Meanwhile, the bodies of Ismail, mastermind behind the July 10 attack on Amarnath pilgrims, and his Pakistani associate Chota Qasim were laid to rest in a graveyard located in Baramulla’s sparsely populated hillside.

The killings sparked sporadic protests in south Kashmir as protesters held funeral prayers in absentia for the slain militants.A protest was also held in Kashmir University, where all exams being held on Friday were postponed.

Encounter video goes viral

A purported video of the Nowgam encounter, where these two militants were killed, went viral online on Friday.

The video, wherein security personnel allegedly were placing feet on the bodies and pose for pictures, was also stopped by Facebook, according to the netizens.

The Army has taken “cognizance of the video”.

“The trampling of the bodies by the forces is condemnable. Only rogue forces disrespect the bodies,” said Dukhataran-e-Millat spokesman Nasreen.

Meanwhile, separatists and militant conglomerate United Jehad Council (UJC) paid tributes to the slain militants.