Six Shot Dead in Two Days By Security Forces in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: In further deterioration of the situation in Kashmir, six persons were shot dead by the forces since Friday evening while a teenager who was undergoing treatment at Srinagar hospital succumbed to injuries, taking the death toll to 65.

A 10th class boy, Muhammad Yasir Sheikh was killed by forces in Batmaloo area of the summer capital on Friday evening, triggering massive clashes in the area.

16-year old Sheik, according to his friends, was out on a walk when he was hit by bullets in his chest, barely a kilometer away from his home.

“He was brought dead to hospital,” a doctor said.

This morning four youth were killed in firing by forces in Beerwah constituency of Budgam district in central Kashmir, day after the area has witnessed protests and clashes between youth and forces.

All the four killed persons were from Aripanthan village in Beerwah which is the home constituency of former chief minister Omar Abdullah.

A local doctor said at least 16 persons, including three women, sustained injuries in forces’ action in the area. The condition of two injured persons is said to be critical and they are undergoing treatment at SK-Institute of Medical Science in Srinagar.

“The two injured persons have bullet injuries. Their condition is very critical though they have been operated upon,” said a doctor at the hospital.

In another incident in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Army opened fire on people at Larkipora village of Dooru killing a teenager and wounding more than 12 persons.

Eighteen-year old Ishfaq Ahmad Bhat of Tangmarg in north Kashmir, who had suffered pellet injuries in his head, succumbed Friday evening.

The pellets had perforated Bhat’s skull, causing severe damage to his brain, a doctor said.

With situation deteriorating, authorities on Tuesday imposed massive clampdown in the summer capital and major parts of the Valley which continued to reel under curfew for the 39th straight day post Burhan encounter on July 8.

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hit out at her successor Mehbooba Mufti for not owning up responsibility for the prevailing situation in Kashmir.

“Between 2009-14 everything was my fault but as of the last 4 months nothing is @MehboobaMufti's fault (sic)," Omar wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, five militants were killed and a Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel of Army injured when Army foiled an infiltration bid along Line of Control in Uri Sector of Baramulla district in north Kashmir on Monday. During the gunfight, which took place at Gawalta area along the LoC, commanding officer sustained minor injuries. Also, in the Srinagar gunfight between militants and forces which ended late Mondayafternoon both the militants were killed.

(Photograph by Basit Zargar)