Shutdown vigilantes set on fire two autos in Srinagar; militants attack Police Station in Kulgam

Dukhtaraan-e-Millat chairperson Asiya Andrabi held; intense checking of vehicles after Police learns about possible terror strike on bypass

Ahmed Ali Fayyaz
SRINAGAR: While as suspected militants on Tuesday attacked a Police Station in Kulgam district of southern Kashmir, suspected shutdown vigilantes set ablaze two autorickshaws apparently for defying the separatists’ call on 88th consecutive day of turbulence, triggered by Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani’s killing in an encounter on July 8.
Informed sources said that unidentified persons set on fire two autorickshaws, bearing registration numbers JK01X-4429 and JK01H-7913, one after another, at Babademb and Sayeedakadal, in the capital city. Police have registered two separate criminal cases and started investigation to identify and arrest the culprits.
SSP Srinagar Amit Kumar told STATE TIMES that two persons masquerading as passengers hired a three-wheeler at Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) for a lift to Kralkhud area of Habbakadal. As the driver dropped them at their given destination near Babademb, both the persons sprinkled petrol on the auto and set it on fire. While the owner-driver began crying and screaming, residents gathered and doused the flames. However the auto suffered extensive damage.
SSP Srinagar said that the residents expressed resentment against the unidentified persons’ act of burning down a poor driver’s auto.
In another incident, SSP Srinagar said, an unidentified person driving a motorcycle asked an autorickshaw driver at Sayeedakadal to carry a passenger to some destination in downtown Srinagar. He refused to oblige him. In a few minutes, another person, driving a motorcycle without number plate, sprinkled petrol on the three-wheeler and set it on fire. SSP said that Police had launched a manhunt for the suspects who were likely to be unidentified on basis of eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage.
Meanwhile, Police on Tuesday intercepted a vehicle near Babademb and took into custody Dukhtaraan-e-Millat chairperson and fire-brand pro-Pakistan leader Asiya Andrabi alongwith her organisation’s General Secretary Fehmeeda Sofi. SSP Srinagar Amit Kumar confirmed that both the separatist activists had been arrested in the criminal cases already registered against them. He said that both the detainees had been for the time being lodged at Women’s Police Station, Rambagh.
Official sources said that a group of four to five heavily armed militant attacked Police Station Yaripora in Kulgam district late on Tuesday night from a distance of 25 yards. Police retaliated the fire and the encounter continued for about 15 minutes. Sources said that the militants withdrew. Nobody from either side suffered any damage.
Earlier in the day, Police raised nakas and conducted extensive search of all incoming vehicles in Srinagar after learning through a message from Police Control Room that militants were likely to carry out a major strike on Police and security forces on the national highway Bypass. However, none of the suspects could be arrested.