3 militants, 6 civilians killed in Kashmir
Srinagar, Oct 21: Three militants were killed Sunday in an encounter with security forces in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, while six civilians lost their lives in a blast following the gunfight there, police said.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Laroo area of Kulgam district in south Kashmir following specific information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said.
While conducting searches the militants fired upon them, he said, adding three terrorists were killed in the ensuing encounter.
He said the identity and group affiliation of the slain militants is being ascertained.
The officials said immediately after the gunfight ended and the forces withdrew from the spot, civilians rushed to the encounter site where an explosive substance went off resulting in death of six civilians.
"Despite requests to not visit the spot till thorough search is done for explosives, several civilians visited the encounter site immediately after the operation. While they were there, some explosive substance went off, resulting in on spot death of a civilian and injuries to several others," the official said.
He said the injured persons were rushed to various hospitals for treatment but five of them succumbed to the injuries.
"In total, six civilians were killed due to the blast," the official said.
He said clashes broke out between groups of youth and security forces in the area and were going on when last reports came in.
"Police had to use some force to quell the protests and about two dozen persons were injured in the clashes, the official said.
Advisor to the Governor, K Vijay Kumar, and DGP Dilbag Singh have expressed regret over the loss of civilian lives at the encounter site and conveyed their profound condolences to the bereaved families.
He said such sites should be avoided by civilians till they are properly sanitised.
Extremely saddened by the news of kulgam incident , where civilians were once again caught in the cross fire of violence , thus adding fuel to the already volatile situation . All words of condemnation ,condolence sound very hollow at this tragedy .
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 21, 2018
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Jharkhand: Elephant 'electrocuted' to death in forest
Seraikela (PTI): An elephant was allegedly electrocuted to death in a forest in Chandil Sub-Division of Jharkhand's Seraikela-Kharsawan district on Wednesday, an official said.
Seraikela Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Saba Alam Ansari, told PTI that the 30-year-old tusker was found dead with electrical wires wrapped on its trunk.
“Villagers’ statement and the animal’s appearance suggest that it died due to electrocution after coming in contact with electric wires,” Ansari said.
"A forest department team along with local veterinarians conducted the post-mortem examination of the elephant at the spot," the DFO said.
