J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

The Imam of holy Hazratbal shrine displays the holy relic of the Prophet of Islam to devotees in Srinagar on Friday, following Id-ul-Milad. The relic, enshrined in Hazratba, is displayed on important occasions. — PTI

Strike cripples life in Srinagar
Srinagar, May 7
Life was paralysed here today following a general strike called by the United Jehad Council in protest against the alleged custodial killing of Hizbul Mujahideen operational chief Gazi Shahabuuddin in downtown yesterday.

Tremors in J&K
Srinagar, May 7
A mild earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale today rocked parts of Jammu and Kashmir, including the summer capital, without causing any damage to property. A Met office report said the quake, which was recorded at 12.22 p.m., had its epicentre in Hindukush, Afghanistan. — PTI

• BSF constable commits suicide

Probe ordered into molestation by jawans

Srinagar, May 7
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered an inquiry into a case of alleged molestation of a woman by Army jawans at Choon in Budgam district in the state, an official spokesman said here today.

The inquiry was ordered following large-scale demonstrations by residents of the village, the spokesman said.

He said the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, had been asked to conduct a probe and submit a report within 15 days.

The troops of 35 Rashtriya Rifles had allegedly molested a woman and beaten up residents of the village following an incident of stray firing by militants on Wednesday night.

A defence spokesman denied the allegations, claiming it was the handiwork of anti-social elements wanting to defame the troops.

“There was an attempt by a militant to barge into the camp by cutting the wire on Wednesday night. The alert sentry challenged the militant who hurled a grenade and fled that place”, the spokesman said. He said there was no firing from any side at that time and the troops went for a “normal” search operation the next morning.

As the troops were investigating the incident, a crowd gathered and started making allegations which are “false and baseless”, he added. — PTI

Strike cripples life in Srinagar

Srinagar, May 7
Life was paralysed here today following a general strike called by the United Jehad Council (UJC) in protest against the alleged custodial killing of Hizbul Mujahideen operational chief Gazi Shahabuuddin in downtown yesterday.

The Hizbul Mujahideen has appointed Gazi Musbahuddin as its new operational chief in Jammu and Kashmir.

Shops and business establishments in most parts of Srinagar remained closed in response to the strike call given by the UJC, an organisation of different militant organisations operating in Jammu and Kashmir.

Government offices and commercial establishments remained closed on account of Id-e-Milad.

Fewer vehicles plied on the city routes.

The Hizbul Mujahideen alleged that Abdul Rashid Peer, a resident of Khanmoh in Pulwama district, was arrested by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir police at Baramula early this week and later killed in the downtown here in a fake encounter.

However, the police said the Hizbul Muzahideen commander was killed in a fierce encounter at Gurgadi Mohalla. Two security personnel were also injured in the encounter, the sources added. — UNI

BSF constable commits suicide

Srinagar, May 7
A Border Security Force jawan allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service rifle in a BSF camp here today, official sources said.

Constable Rajinder Prasad of 56th Battalion used his service rifle to end his life at the Subsidiary Training Centre, Humhama, they said.

They said the reason for his taking the extreme step was not known immediately. — PTI