SRINAGAR: A teenaged boy was killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday when police and paramilitary men opened fire at people protesting against Israeli aggression in Gaza. The deceased has been identified as Suhail Ahmad Mir, 15.
Meanwhile, hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani has called for shutdown in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Sunday against the killing.
Hundreds of youth had assembled at Qaimoh area in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district to protest against the Israel’s attack on Gaza, which killed scores of innocent people so far.
When the cops did not allow the protesters to move ahead, the agitators pelted stones at the security forces. The security forces fired teargas shells and resorted to baton charge to disperse the protestors. As the stone pelting continued, the security forces allegedly opened fire at the protesters, causing grievous injury to Mir. Though Suhail was rushed to a nearby hospital, doctors declared him brought dead. “He had sustained serious bullet injury in the chest,” a doctor said.
A police spokesman, while confirming the killing of the boy, said an unfortunate incident of firing has taken place in Kulgam district in which a boy Suhail Ahmad lost his life.
He said the circumstances leading to the incident of firing are being inquired into. “Police have registered an FIR,” the spokesman said.
The Valley has been witnessing anti-Israel protests every day after Israeli troops started aerial strikes on Gaza 12 days ago.
As the news spread that a boy was killed in police firing, people in Khudwani and adjoining areas took to roads and staged massive anti-government demonstrations. At many places in Kulgam and Anantnag district in South Kashmir, youth clashed with police and paramilitary personnel.
The ruling National Conference condemned the death of youth in the firing.