Relatives mourn over the bodies of the two protesters killed in Army firing in Jammu and Kashmir’s north-western Handwara area on Tuesday. (Photo: H.U. NAQASH)
Two protesters were killed in Army firing as Jammu and Kashmir’s north-western Handwara area erupted on Tuesday over alleged molestation of a local female student by an Army jawan.
A woman resident, Raja Begum, who was earlier presumed dead after sustaining bullet injuries in the shooting, is alive and has been shifted to a Srinagar hospital for advanced treatment. Her condition is stated to be critical.
Police sources here said that the Army opened fire to quell a violent mob in Handwara town, 72 km from here, injuring three persons. One of them died on the sport whereas the other succumbed to the injuries on way to hospital. They have been identified as 21-year-old Muhammad Iqbal, a salesman at a local store, and Naeem Qadir Butt, who represented J&K in Under-19 cricket tournament recently. Seven other protesters were injured earlier in clashes with the police, which swung bamboosticks, fired teargas shells and also warning rifle shots in the air to contain protests. Hospital sources said that one of the slain youth had received fatal bullet wound in abdomen and the other on his head.
Late on Tuesday, the protesters also pulled down the tricolour, which the Army had hoisted at the town square some time ago.
The Army said it regrets the “unfortunate loss of life” in firing and assured that the guilty would be dealt with as per law. It also said that inquiry into the incident has been ordered. “Army deeply regrets the unfortunate loss of life. The matter will be investigated and anybody found guilty will be dealt as per the law,” a defence spokesman said here.
CM Mehbooba Mufti, expressing “tremendous grief” over the killings, said the Army personnel involved in the incident will be handed “exemplary punishment”. She said she has already taken up the matter with the Army.
“The chief minister talked to the GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda, who informed her that the Army has already ordered an inquiry into the incident and tangible action will be taken once the probe is completed,” a spokesman of the J&K government said, adding that the Army commander has also assured that the demand of the local residents that the Army camp be shifted from Handwara town would be looked into.
