Thousands Attend Funeral Prayers in Kulgam, Militants Offer Gun Salute
KULGAM Three civilians, including a teenage girl were killed and at least two others were injured after army opened fire on protesters in south Kashmirs Kulgam district on Saturday.
Reports quoting eyewitnesses said that an armys patrol party opened fire on a group of people near Redwani Hawoora area in the district, injuring five persons.
All the injured were taken to nearby Primary Health Centre (PHC) Frisil where three of them were pronounced dead on arrival, they said.
The deceased were identified as Andleeb (16) daughter of Ali Mohammad, Shakir Ahmad Khanday (22) son of Mohammad Hussain Khanday and Irshad Ahmad (20) son of Abdul Majeed. The injured were identified as Zahid Ahmad and Yawar Ahmad Dar.
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Locals said that Zahid Ahmed, the brother of slain Shakir Ahmed tried to pick up his brothers body, but forces personnel dragged him and fired volley of bullets in his legs. He was shifted to Bone and Joints Hospital Barzulla where his condition is stated to be critical. One report said Andleeb was also hit by bullets here as she along with other neighbours rushed out after hearing about the incident.
According to police, army opened fire after the group attacked them with stones.
However, eyewitness accounts said the area was tense on the eve of 2nd anniversary of slain Hizbul Mujahidin commander Burhan Wani.
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As army entered the tense village, a group of youngsters pelted them with stones. Soldiers opened fire resulting in the death of Shakir.
When his body was taken to his home, people rushed out only to be met with more force. it was here the other two casualties took place, they said.
Meanwhile, thousands of people late in the afternoon participated in the last rites of three civilians at Hawoora village.
Reports said that several rounds of funeral prayers were held for the slain civilians at a school ground in Hawoora village. Thousands of people participated in the prayers of the trio who were laid to rest amid sobs and tears.
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Soon after the funeral, the people took to streets and staged massive anti-government demonstrations against the army for opening direct firing on the youth.
A group of militants appeared in the funeral several times and offered a gun-salute to the slain.
Authorities snapped mobile Internet service in south Kashmir districts of Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam and Anantnag soon after the killings.
Army Statement
An Area Domination Patrol ( ADP) of Army while moving in general area Hawoora, Kulgam came under heavy stone pelting. As the ADP tried to extricate, they were chased by an aggressive and menacing crowd of 400-500 persons which kept building up and coming dangerously close. Troops while exercising extreme restraint, cautioned the stone pelters, who, however, failed to relent and repeatedly threw petrol bombs and stones at the patrolling party. At one point of time some unidentified militants also fired on the column. This resulted in some soldiers receiving grievous injuries. In response to this grave provocation and to ensure security of own troops, controlled firing was resorted to by the Army which resulted in unfortunate loss of human lives. The matter is being investigated to ascertain facts on ground, said Srinagar based Defense spokesperson in a statement.
Police Version
An army patrol in District Kulgam while moving through Hawoora Mishipora area this afternoon was pelted by miscreants. Consequently army tried to disperse the miscreants and in the process five individuals sustained injuries. The injured persons were evacuated to nearby hospital. However, later three persons succumbed to the injuries including a girl while the other two individuals are stated to be stable. Police has started investigation into the matter.
Army Raids School, Picks Up Class 9 Student
Abdul Rashid, Headmaster Government High School Hawoora told a local news agency CNS that all the teachers were busy in their respective classes when soldiers knocked at the school gate. When we didnt open it, they jumped over the wall and entered into classes. They picked up a class 9th student Nadim Ahmed Dar son of Mushtaq Ahmed Dar and dragged him out from the class. Since Nadim is an intelligent student of the school, a couple of teachers, including Science teacher Shabir Ahmed and Zahoor Ahmed resisted army action and in reply they were thrashed by soldiers, he said, adding, We followed army soldiers and tried to rescue our student from their clutches but they resorted to indiscriminate firing. We were left with no option but to retreat, the Headmaster said.
Internet Services Curtailed
Mobile internet services were suspended and broadband speed decreased in all parts of Kashmir as a precautionary measure in the wake of killing of three civilians by army in Kulgam district on Saturday.
The services have been suspended in all district of the Valley including Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian districts in south Kashmir as well as Srinagar, Budgam and Kupwara.
The decision to bar the services was a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, the official said.
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