SRINAGAR: Two youths were killed and several others injured after security forces opened fire on an irate mob in Ganapora area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, following an intense stone-pelting attack on an Army convoy on Saturday afternoon. At least eight injured people have been hospitalized — the condition of one is critical.
The deceased were identified as Javed Ahmad Bhat, 20, Suhail Javed Lone, 24. Seven armymen suffered injuries and extensive damage was caused to 11 vehicles.
The divisional administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident, to be completed in 20 days.
Defence spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia said, “On January 27, at about 1500 hours, an army administrative convoy was passing through Ganaupura Chowk in Shopian in South Kashmir when it came under unprovoked and intense attack by a group of 100-120 stone pelters. Within no time, their numbers swelled to 200-250. The crowd surrounded an isolated portion of the convoy consisting of four vehicles. They caused extensive damage to the vehicles and tried to set them on fire.”
“A junior commissioned officer (JCO) accompanying the convoy got hit on his head and fell unconscious, suffering serious injury. The mob tried to lynch the individual and snatch his weapon. The violent crowd further closed in towards the vehicles and attempted to set them on fire. Considering the extreme gravity of the situation the army was constrained to open fire in self defence to prevent lynching of the JCO and burning of government vehicle by the mob. A total of seven army men suffered injuries and extensive damage was caused to 11 vehicles. In the process two civilians succumbed to bullet injuries,” he added.
Divisional commissioner-Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan confirmed that deputy commissioner Shopian has been asked to probe the incident. “The officer was asked to complete the inquiry within 20 days,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Hurriyat combine consisting of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwiaz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik of JKLF, has called for a Kashmir-wide shutdown on Sunday to protest the killing of the civilians.
Source : timesofindia
