13 civilians killed in J&K

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

At least 13 civilians, including a Awami League candidate in the elections last year and three released militants, were among those killed by militants at Shopian and in the hilly Doda district on Friday.

Eight civilians were gunned down by unidentified gunmen in Shopian in southern Pulwama district early in the morning. The victims included a Jamat Islami activist and three released militants. No one has admitted responsibility for the killings. A general strike was called in Shopian and authorities tightened security in all of Shopian to maintain law and order.

A group of unidentified militants opened fire on Man Chand an unsuccessful Awami League candidate at Blandpur village near Ramban in the Jammu region. Man Chand died on the spot.

The militants overpowered his security guard, prised his weapon away and shot Man Chand. No one has yet claimed responsibility for that killing either. Unidentified gunmen abducted three brothers from village Hakwas-Kochal in Doda district, killed one and released the others.

Meanwhile, employees of the food and supplies department went on a two-day strike on Friday afternoon, following a raid by the Special Task Force on the office premises. The employees alleged that over two dozen employees were injured when the STF beat them up and fired at them. The injured have been admitted to hospital.