Srinagar: A 19 year-old youth was killed and another was injured when army allegedly opened fire on a group of people at Beerwah in central Kashmir’s Budgam district post-Friday prayers.
Official sources told news agency GNS that the youth identified as Tanveer Ahmad Paul s/o M Akbar sustained bullet in his head when army’s 53 RR opened fire on a group of youth amid stone pelting in the area.
“In the incident another youth Ibrahim Wani s/o Ab Gani sustained bullet in his shoulder and has been admitted at JVC hospital here in Srinagar”. Tanveer was referred to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him brought dead, they said.
The killing figured massive protests in Beerwah and its adjoining areas. When contacted SSP Budgam Tejinder Singh confirmed the death of youth said that a group of youth pelted heavy stones on army’s patrolling party and subsequently a sound of a blast occurred which was actually a cracker.
“The sound of the cracker mistook the army as a grenade blast which prompted them to open fire resulting in the unfortunate death”, SSP said. SSP said that a case has been registered against the army and further investigations have been taken up.
The 53 RR unit was recently in news after it tied a youth, Farooq Ahmad Dar to the bonnet of a Jeep on April 9, the day polls where held for Srinagar Parliamentary constituency which was eventually won by National Conference President Farooq Abdullah.
Army spokesperson in a statement issued here to GNS said that they opened fire on youth after stone-pelters tried to snatch the weapons. “An Army patrol was subjected to heavy stone pelting by a mob in Kondur village near Beerwah town at 1:15 pm. In no time, the numbers swelled and the intensity of stone pelting increased,” he said.
He added: “Some stone-pelters tried to close in with the patrol and snatch weapons from the soldiers. Two persons were reportedly injured when troops opened fired. One of the injured, however, later succumbed to his injuries.”
Thousands of people attended the funeral of the slain youth amid massive anti-India slogans. Police and forces resorted to teargas shelling on funeral procession of the slain. He was laid to rest amid sobs and tears and massive clashes raged in the area till late evening. (GNS)
