In a barbaric act, suspected Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists, active in South Kashmir districts, have killed two civilians belonging to the Gujjar community in thickly forested area of Tral in Pulwama.
Both the nomads were reportedly abducted by the terrorists from their 'dhoks' at Nageberan, a temporary shelter set up by them while grazing cattle in the forest area.
This is the first terror attack on civilians in Kashmir valley after the Union Government abrogated provisions of Article 370 and announced bifurcation of Jammu & Kashmir into two Union Territories on August 5.
According to police, “the two nomads were identified as Abdul Qadeer Kohli, hailing from Kanthool area of Rajouri district, and his cousin Manzoor Ahmad Kohli, a resident of Sangri Khanmoh”.
Police spokesman said the bullet-ridden body of Abdul Qadeer was found at Litchinag in the higher reaches of Tral on Monday, the body of Manzoor Kohli was recovered from Tral's Lachi Top Behak forest area on Tuesday.
Following these recoveries, joint teams of security forces had launched a search and cordon operation in the area to track down the presence of terrorists in the area.
DGP Dilbagh Singh said, "it could be the handiwork of Jaish-e-Mohammand terrorists, who are active in South Kashmir districts". He said investigations have been launched in the case.
Police spokesman said, "a case FIR no 67/2019 has been registered under relevant sections of law in Police station, Tral". He said, the dead bodies were handed over to the legal heirs after completing the legal formalities.
Earlier, on August 20, a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist and a special police officer were killed, while a police sub-inspector was injured in a gunfight in Baramulla district of north Kashmir — the first encounter between security forces and terrorists after August 5.
Meanwhile, sharing status report of prevailing situation across Kashmir valley, Director Information and Public Relations Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar on Tuesday evening told reporters, "situation remained peaceful across Kashmir valley and relaxations were extended from 69 police stations to 81 across the Valley".
SSP Srinagar Dr Haseeb Mughal said, "barring two minor incidents of stone pelting in Srinagar no major incident was reported from anywhere in Srinagar. He said the situation is getting better and better with each passing day".
Keeping in view slight improvement in attendance of children in middle and primary schools, the school education department has now decided to throw open High schools from Wednesday. Director of Education, Kashmir, Younis Malik told reporters, "We had already declared primary and middle schools open, from wednesday we are declaring open High schools in all those areas where restrictions have been removed".
