Two Army personnel, policeman killed in militant attack

Srinagar : Militants today ambushed an Army convoy, killing two soldiers and a policeman in Kashmir Valley where curfew remained in force in Srinagar district, Anantnag town and Magam area.

Two soldiers and a policeman were also injured in the militant attack at Khwajabagh in Baramulla district which took place at 2:30 AM, a police official said.

He said two soldiers and a policeman were killed in the attack and a massive operation has been launched to track down the attackers, who fled the spot.

Normal life, meanwhile, remained paralysed for the 40th consecutive day today in Kashmir where 63 persons have been so far killed in the ongoing unrest.

“Curfew has been imposed in Magam area of Budgam district where four persons were killed in security forces firing yesterday. Curfew also remained in force in Srinagar district and Anantnag town,” a police official said.

He said restrictions on the movement of the people have been imposed in the rest of the Valley.

Heavy deployment of security forces has been carried out in Srinagar city with all roads leading to the local office of United Nations Military Observers Group (UNMOG) at Sonawar sealed.

The separatists groups have called for a march to the UN office here to impress upon the global body to intervene and resolve the Kashmir issue.

The separatists have threatened a 72-hour sit-in protests if their proposed march to the UN office is not allowed by the government.

Schools, colleges and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off the roads due to the strike called by the separatists. The attendance in government offices was thin.

Internet and mobile services across the Valley remained suspended. While broadband services were snapped on Saturday evening, the mobile telephony was suspended late in the night on the same day.

Normal life has been affected due to protests against the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8.

The separatist camp is spearheading the protests in the Valley over the civilian killings.

As many as 63 persons including two cops have been killed and several thousand others have been injured in the clashes that began on July 9.

PTI