Violent protests erupted in Tral area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district after army killed the brother of a prominent Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant in a ‘firefight’.
Khalid Muzzafar Wani, who is the brother of HM militant, Burhan Muzzafar Wani, was killed when according to locals he went to meet his brother in Kamla forests of Buchoo in Tral along with his three other friends. The Tral residents allege the slain was killed in a ‘staged encounter’.
Confirming the killing of Burhan’s brother, the Director General of Police (DGP) K Rajendra said over phone that Khalid had gone to meet Burhan along with three other people.
“Four people went to meet Burhan and others. In the meantime, army patrol also reached and firing took place during which militants including Burhan fled. Khalid died and militants left the weapons there. Three other youths also fled but were caught and they are being questioned,” the DGP told GNS, adding further details are awaited. The DGP said Burhan was reportedly injured in the firing.
An army spokesman said that they are investigating the matter. “Many things have to be seen including what he was doing there along with others,” the spokesman said.
Earlier, army said that they killed a militant. Although, army didn't identify the ‘militant’ they claimed to have killed in the ‘gunfight’. As reported earlier by GNS, the army had detained three youths from the same area and took them for questioning.
The killing set-off violent protests across the Tral with youth urging people to come out from their houses though the loudspeakers of mosques. Protesters also pelted stones on CRPF bunker in Bus Stand Tral, reports said.
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