On 21st October, seven civilians were killed in Kulgam, South Kashmir and over 40 people were injured. As per reports in Indian media, an unexploded shell was lying at the site and went off after the encounter was over leading to deaths and injuries. Earlier, three militants were neutralized by the Indian Army in the restive South Kashmir region. EurAsian Times quickly takes a glimpse of how different media organisations across the world have described the incident.
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Due to the civilian killings, the separatists have called for a strike in the Kashmir Valley. All schools and colleges in Kashmir are closed today and exams have been postponed. Train services too have been suspended in the Valley.
Washington Post Describes Militants as Rebels
According to the Washington Post, three local rebels were killed in a gunbattle with Indian government forces in disputed Kashmir on Sunday, and six civilians were killed in an explosion at the site after the fighting was over, officials and residents said.
Meanwhile, three Indian army soldiers and two suspected militants were killed in a gunbattle along the highly militarized line of control dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan. Read the Complete Story
Pakistan Tribune Uses Youths and Freedom Fighters
Pakistan Tribune states: Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred eight youths in the Occupied Kashmir on Sunday. According to Kashmir Media Service, three youth were killed during a cordon and search operation in Laroo area of Kulgam district which was jointly launched by Indian Army’s 9 Rashtriya Rifle, Central Reserve Police Force and Special Operation Group.
The occupying forces also destroyed a house during the operation. In the same neighbourhood, three more youth who were wounded in Indian troops’ firing on protesters succumbed to their injuries at SMHS hospital in Srinagar. Read the Complete Story
Al-Jazeera Uses Militants and Rebels Both
Al-Jazeera wrote: “By morning, three militants were killed who were hiding in one of the houses. There was an exchange of gunfire and grenades from both sides,” the official said. The official said the rebels were locals and belonged to the south Kashmir villages of Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag.
“When the fight was over, the forces cleared the area and left. There was stone-throwing from all sides by the people even during the encounter. Despite requests not to visit the site, locals approached the gunfight site and a shell exploded,” he said. Read the complete story
Kulgam Encounter
In a statement, a police spokesman said, “Civilians visited the encounter site immediately after the operation in spite of the appeal not to visit as thorough search is to be made for explosives once flames douse off. “They didn’t listen and visited the spot immediately after the force withdrew and some explosives went off resulting in injuries to the civilians,” he said.
The governor’s administration said it was anguished over civilian killings in Kulgam and announced an ex gratia of Rs one lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. Director General of Police Dilbag Singh expressed condolences to the bereaved families.
