Army personnel taking position during an encounter with the militants in Kupwara. File | Photo Credit:
PTI
Security forces retaliated after militants fired on the search party in Hadwara area
A terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces in Handwara area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, police said on Friday.
Security forces launched an operation based on credible inputs about the presence of terrorists in Pohrupeth in Handwara area on Thursday evening, a police official said.
During the search operation, the militant opened fire on the search party. “In the ensuing encounter, which ended late Thursday night, one terrorist was neutralised,” he said.
The district magistrate had requested the Army in Kishtwar and its adjoining areas to control the internal security situation that arose due to the killings. File picture used for representation purpose only. | Photo Credit:
THE HINDU
Situation tense but under control, says district magistrate
The Indian Army on Friday staged a flag march in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar town where curfew was imposed after a senior
leader and his brother were killed by suspected terrorists Thursday night, officials said.
District Magistrate Kishtwar said the situation was tense but under control.
“The Indian Army staged a flag march in Kishtwar town in order to maintain law and order,” District Magistrate Kishtwar told PTI.
District Magistrate Kishtwar said the curfew, which was imposed in the town late night Thursday, was strictly in place and additional security personnel were deployed in sensitive areas of the town. There were no reports of any untoward incidents, Mr. Rana said.
SSP Kishtwar said a hunt was launched to track down those involved in the case.
Following the killing of BJP state secretary Anil Parihar, 52, and his brother, Ajeet Parihar, 55, by terrorists, people had staged angry protests in the communally-sensitive town and manhandled senior police officials.
The district magistrate had requested the Army in the town and its adjoining areas to control the internal security situation that arose due to the killings.
SSP Kishtwar took the decision as he apprehended that violence might erupt and result in law and order problem, endangering the life and property of citizens of Kishtwar town.
Communally sensitive district
Kishtwar district had witnessed communal clashes in the past. Terrorists had attempted to create communal tension in the region by targeting Hindu community, especially in higher reaches. In 2001, the terrorists killed 17 Hindu nomads.
The killings of Parihar brothers drew severe condemnation from all quarters.
The senior BJP leader and his brother were killed when were returning home after closing their stationary shop located outside old DC office complex, officials said.
As two were walking towards their home in Parihar mohalla through a dark lane in Tapal Mohalla, they were fired upon from a close range by suspected militants around 8.40 pm, they said.
The assailants were apparently waiting for the brothers to return home, they said.
The people rushed to the spot after hearing gunshots and rushed them to the district hospital in Kishtwar where they were declared brought dead, they added.
As the news spread locals rushed to hospital and the brothers’ house, where they held protests against the alleged failure of the administration and the police.
Angry people manhandled policemen, including the SSP, after arguing with them. They also clashed with the police and forced them to leave the hospital.
The angry mob raised anti-Pakistan slogans demanding arrest of those involved in the killings. The protestors later also took to streets and held a protest near the Kishtwar Police Station.
Anil Parihar was active in politics for over 25 years and had unsuccessfully contested the 2008 Assembly elections on a
Jammu and Kashmir National Panther Party (JKNPP) ticket.
Ajeet Parihar was an employee of the State Forest Corporation (SFC).
PTI 
