In Held Kashmir, five people were martyred and dozens of others, including a woman, injured in the brutal actions of Indian troops in Islamabad district on Friday, reported Radio Pakistan.

The troops opened fire on a residential house during a cordon and search operation in Srigufwara area of the district, critically injuring the owner of the house, Muhammad Yousuf Rathar, and his wife, Hafeeza Begum. Rathar later succumbed to his injuries.  

The Indian troops also killed three youth and destroyed a residential house during the operation. Earlier, an Indian policeman was killed and two troops were injured in an attack in the same area.

Meanwhile, massive protests erupted in the area against the cordon and search operation and subsequent killings.

Indian police and troops fired pellets and teargas shells to disperse the protesters, triggering intense clashes between the demonstrators and the forces’ personnel. Dozens of people have sustained injuries during the clashes, which were going on when reports last came in.

Sources at Sub-District Hospital Bijbehara and Primary Health Centre Srigufwara confirmed that a dozen injured civilians were brought for treatment at the twin facilities.

The authorities in IoK have suspended mobile internet services in the district to prevent people from sharing information about the situation in Srigufwara.