950804

New violence unleashed

under garb of

protecting 'Yatris'

SRINAGAR: The Indian troops carried out severe crackdown in nine localities of Srinagar, ransacking houses and submitting the people to prolonged identity parades while reports of fresh clashes between the troops and the Mujahideen were received from various places in which the troops suffered considerable losses, reports Kashmir Media Service.

Several people were arrested in these localities and sent to interrogation cells. The troops besieged the Regal Chowk area of the city and innocent people were subjected to physical punishment. One dozen people were taken into custody in Hazratbal area.

Inmates were harassed and beaten harshly during house to house searches. According to eye witnesses the Mujahideen hurled a hand grenade in Regal Chowk of the city and at least one soldier was critically wounded.

Reports from Islamabad said a wave of violence by the Indian troops was sweeping Islamabad district on the pretext of providing protection to Amarnath Yatris. Body searches are being carried of the people almost at every step and no one was allowed to move about freely. The reports also spoke of stepped up activities in the area by the Mujahideen. Three troops were reported killed and a number of others injured in land mines explosions in an area near the Amarnath Yatra route.

A military vehicle was reported blasted in a similar explosion in the area and eye witnesses said at least two troops were killed on the spot. An officer of the Central Reserve Police and two sepoys were reported killed in Mujahideen attack at Butkote in Pahalgam area.

A military patrol was attacked at Achabal and a clash was reported from Islamabad town in which the troops reportedly suffered losses. One Mujahid was martyred in the shoot out at Achabal.

Reports from Palwama said, the troops raided the house of a Numberdar at Malangpura fired at him and injured him critically.

In Noyabug village, house of a prominent religious scholar Mohammad Sarfraz was destroyed during a military crackdown. The village was besieged in the night and the troops burst into houses, persecuting the people and molesting women.

A clash between the troops and the Mujahideen was reported from the area but details were not available.

In Machal area in Kupwara district the Mujahideen clashed with troops during a crackdown and the troops were said to have suffered considerable losses in the two-hour long exchange of firing, a Mujahid was martyred and a number of troops killed and wounded in a clash in Baramula.

A big demonstration was held, denouncing the Indian repression and raising slogans in favour of liberation. In a village in the area, one Abdul Ghani Lone was shot dead by troops in his house during house-to-house searches. Search and siege operations were also carried out in areas adjoining Sopore.

A clash was also reported between the troops and the Muhajideen at Bhaderva where indefinite curfew is in forced. One Mujahid Aftab Hussain was reported to have been martyred in the encounter but details of Indian losses could not be gathered due to curfew.-PPI