SRINAGAR:A youth was killed and another injured in army firing in Beerwah area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Friday.
Official sources said army men fired on a group of youth who pelted stones on their patrol while it was returning to their camp at Beerwah area in central Kashmir’s Budgam district this afternoon.
In the army firing, two youth Tanveer Ahmad Pala and Mohammad Ibrahim were injured. Both were evacuated to nearby hospital, where Tanveer, who was hit by bullet in head, succumbed to injuries.
Another injured Ibrahim is undergoing treatment in hospital and his condition is said to be stable.
The killing of youth triggered protests in the Beerwah area.
Large number of people including men and women took to roads to protest the killing of youth.
They demanded action against the army men involved in killing of youth and injuries to another.
A police spokesman while confirming killing of youth said as per initial information, a foot patrol of army was returning to its camp and near Beerwah some miscreants pelted stones on them.
“Someone among the miscreants also hurled a fire cracker towards the army men. Because of bang, the army men thought a grenade was hurled and they retaliated by firing. Two persons were injured in the firing and one of them identified as Tanveer succumbed to injuries in the hospital. Another injured Ibrahim is stable,” he said.
Police sources said police has registered an FIR against Army’s 53 Rashtria Rifles for firing on youth and causing death of one of them.
Defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said an army patrol was subjected to heavy stone pelting by a mob in Kondur village near Beerwah town at 1.15 pm today.
He said in no time, the numbers swelled and intensity of stone pelting increased.
“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 injuries,” Kalia said.
After the killing, tension gripped Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir.
The Valley was already tense in view of “UN march” and shutdown called by the separatists against civilian killings and security forces highhandedness.
Meanwhile, authorities imposed tough restrictions in parts of Srinagar today and sealed all roads leading to United Nations military observers Office at Sonawar in Srinagar to foil “UN march” called by the separatist against civilian killings in Valley.
A police official said curfew-like restrictions were imposed in eight police stations areas in Srinagar to foil the separatists march and maintain law and order.
He said all roads leading to UN office in Srinagar were sealed to prevent separatist leaders and their workers from staging a sit-in near the UN observers’ office.
The police and CRPF men had placed barricades and concertina wires on the roads leading to UN office and set up check points in curfew-hit areas to restrict movement of people.
Authorities for the 5th consecutive week did not allow Friday congregation prayers at historic Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar.
“I tried to move towards the Jamia to offer Friday prayers there. However, I was stopped by policemen outside my residence and they did not allow me to move towards Jamia Masjid. They told me to offer Friday prayers in a local mosque,” said Shafiq Ahmed, a resident of Nowhatta in downtown Srinagar.
All top separatist leaders including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Shabir Shah and Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai were placed under house arrest while JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik was detained after he tried to march towards the UN office in Srinagar.
The life in Valley was today paralysed by the strike called by separatists against civilian killings, security forces harassment and curbs on leadership and people.