National Conference worker shot at by militants in South Kashmir

National Conference worker shot at by militants in South Kashmir

Unknown militants shot at an injured a ruling National Conference sarpanch in south Kashmir even as normal life was disrupted due to a strike called by separatists to protest against “continued detention of minors in Kashmir”.

Sources said that unknown assailants opened fire on a ruling National Conference functionary Abdus Salam Malik at Bus Stand in south Kashmir’s Tral when he was returning to his village after offering Friday payers. Malik is a local office-bearer of the ruling party and won recent panchayat election from Panzoo village. Even as Hizbul Mujahideen outfit declared that the outfit was not against the conduct of panchayat elections, there have been numerous attacks on contestants during elections held in summer. However, after the smooth conduct of panchayat elections, this is the first attack on a sarpanch in south Kashmir.

Police said that injured Malik was rushed to hospital in Srinagar where is condition is reported stable.

Meanwhile, normal life was disrupted in the Valley in response to a strike call by hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geeani against what he calls perpetual detention of Kashmiri “freedom fights” especially minors in jails and detention centres.

Shops and business establishments in City Centre Lal Chowk and adjoining areas remained closed due to the strike. However, private transport was seen moving in several areas of the city.

Police said that situation remained normal throughout the Valley. However, some areas of old city witnessed incidents of stone-pelting. The situation was brought under control immediately, police said.

Police also assaulted some photojournalists covering the happenings in the area. Reports said impact of the strike was more in old city areas with most of the shops remaining closed and transport off the roads.

Meanwhile, police arrested 20-year-old Mudassir Ahmad, an alleged foot-solider of Geelani’s Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, who was reportedly involved in snatching pistil from an Army sleuth Naik Kamlesh Kumar Mishra during a public rally on November 11.

SP Sopore Imtiyaz Hussain claimed that Mudasir was planning to give the snatched pistol to the militants. “But before he could do it, we arrested him,” he said.