South Kashmir’s Pulwama remained tense on Wednesday as locals accused the security forces of damaging the tombstone of a slain Hizb-ul-Mujahideen ‘commander’. Locals of Pulwama’s Drabgam held a sit-in outside the Tehsil headquarters over the incident.
Sameer Bhat alias ‘Tiger’ was killed along with an associate on April 30 in Drubgam in an encounter. The banners covering his grave were also allegedly torn.“This is highly condemnable,” said a protester.
Separatists’ forum Joint Resistance Leadership, comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, called for a shutdown on June 2 over such “growing incidents”.
Later, militants carried out two grenade attacks in the district. Militants lobbed a grenade at a joint naka party of the police and the Central Reserve Police Force in Banora village. In a second attack, the residence of a former legislator of the National Conference in Tral was attacked with a grenade. “There were no casualties,” said the police.
Mehbooba on ceasefire
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the agreement between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan. “I wholeheartedly welcome the reiteration of the commitment to the ceasefire on the border by both DGMOs. This brings great relief to the people residing in the vicinity [of the border]. Peace on our borders is the first essential step to a larger understanding and I truly hope it sustains,” she said.
