Life affected due to strike in Pulwama

Srinagar, Nov 7: Life was affected on Tuesday due to strike in south Kashmir district of Pulwama where three militants, including a self styled Divisional Commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), were killed in a fierce encounter. A soldier also was martyred while a civilian injured in the exchange of fire on Monday night. One of the slain militant identified as Talha Rasheed, is nephew of JeM Pakistan based chief Moulana Masood Azhar, mastermind of Pathankote terror attack. Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was also off the roads in Pulwama, where authorities have suspended mobile service since last night. However, train service in the valley, including Srinagar-to Banihal in Jammu region via south Kashmir was operating normally. This is for the first time trains continued to chug in south Kashmir despite killing of three militants in Pulwama. Work in government offices and banks was also affected. Majority educational institutions also remained closed or recorded very less attendance. However, life remained normal elsewhere in the south Kashmir, where business and other activities were going on smoothly and traffic was plying on all routes. Additional security forces had been deployed in Pulwama and other main towns besides on Srinagar-Jammu national highway to prevent any law and order problem. Three militants identified as Mohammad Bhai, divisional commander, Talha Rasheed and Waseem Bhai were killed in an encounter at Aglar Kandi in Pulwama on Monday night. A soldier also lost his life while a civilian was injured in the encounter. UNI