Burqa-clad militants open fire in Kashmir market, 3 hurt

Some burqa-clad militants on Friday opened fire at a busy market in Pulwama, about 35 km from the state capital, when confronted by police, leaving three civilians, including two women injured, police said.

One of the suspected militants, wearing burqa to masquerade as a woman, was arrested by <g data-gr-id="17">police</g> but his accomplices managed to escape, police said.

“The militants opened firing in Pulwama town when they saw a police party, resulting in injuries to some civilians. One of suspected militants who was wearing a burqa has been arrested,” Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Zone) SJM Gillani said.

He said a “sharp-edged” weapon has been recovered from the possession of the arrested person, who has been identified as Tariq Ahmad Shiekh, a local resident. Gillani said the accomplices of the arrested person managed to escape, but the police did not open fire “as the place was crowded”. The militants left behind their vehicle, police said.

Some youngsters started pelting stones at the police personnel in the area after the <g data-gr-id="16">incident</g> but the police managed to bring the situation under control.