Army opens fire on protesters claiming lives of three civilians including a teenage girl in J&K

Three civilians, including a teenage girl, were killed after security forces opened fire on a group of protesters in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday. The death of the three persons has triggered protests, due to which the government has suspended internet services in the area.

According to villagers, clashes broke out when security forces detained several youths at Hawoora and Mishpora villages of Khudwani in the district. Locals resorted to stone pelting, forcing the security personnel to retaliate by opening firing at the protesters. At least five persons were injured in the incident.

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The injured were immediately rushed to the nearby Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Frisal where doctors declared three of them as brought dead. The deceased have been identified as Shakir Ahmad (22), Irshad Ahmad (20) and 16-year-old girl Andleeb.

The Valley was observing a shutdown today on the call given by separatists against the detention of woman separatist Asiya Andrabi by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The shutdown is expected to continue till Sunday, on the second death anniversary of slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani.

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In the wake of Wani’s death anniversary, the government has increased security across the state and has also placed restrictions on civilian movement in several parts of Srinagar city. Curfew has also been imposed in Wani’s native town Tral.