Separatists call for bandh after protests in Kashmir over killing of Sabzar Bhat

Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat was killed in an encounter in Tral. The news of his death triggered violent protests across the Valley in which one civilian died and dozen others were injured.

Separatists in Kashmir Valley have called for a two-day shutdown from Sunday over the “use of force” against the protesters following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat on Saturday in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir’s Tral in Pulwama district.

Youth attacks a police vehicle amid tear smoke fired by police during violent clashes which erupt following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabraz Bhat and his associate at Tral during an encounter, in Srinagar on May 27.(PTI Photo)

While Bhat, who succeeded Burhan Wani, was killed along with another militant in Soimoh village of Tral, the security forces foiled a major infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Rampur sector in north Kashmir’s Uri, killing six militants on Saturday

A civilian was killed allegedly in cross-firing between militants and security forces during the encounter in Tral area. At least 30 people have been injured in the clashes between protesters and security forces in different parts of the Valley.

“We condemn the use of brute force against the unarmed civilians, injuring hundreds of them and call for a strike on Sunday and Monday,” a joint statement from separatists -- chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and JKLF chief Yasin Malik, said in Srinagar.

The separatists also called for a march to Tral on May 30. They asked people to turn up in large numbers on Tuesday to pay tributes to Bhat and seven other militants.

They said that calling for a strike has become necessary to protest the “state terrorism” unleashed by the forces on the civilian protesters.