A 23-year-old youth was killed allegedly in firing by the security forces during a protest demonstration in Pulwama district of South Kashmir, police said.
Bilal Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Padgampora village, was hit by a bullet when BSF personnel allegedly opened fire to chase away youths pelting stones in protest against the killing of two local Lashkar-e-Tayiba militants at a nearby village, a police officer said.
Bhat was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead on arrival by doctors, he added.
The youths were protesting against the death of two militants in a joint operation by police, CRPF and Army at an open field near Ratnipora following an overnight operation.
As the news about death of the militants spread, youths took to the streets at various places and staged violent protests demanding bodies of the deceased ultras.
A BSF team came under gunfire during a protest demonstration by an angry mob, a BSF spokesman told when contacted.
"BSF party came under heavy stone pelting besides firing by unidentified gunmen from among the mob. The personnel fired in air to chase away the protesters," he said, adding that further details were awaited.
The residents alleged that BSF personnel fired directly on the protesters who were shouting slogans demanding that the bodies of the slain militants be returned. The residents claimed there was no firing from the protesters' side.
An official spokesperson of the state government, in a statement “expressed deep sorrow and anguish over loss of a precious human life during protest near Malangpora, in Pulwama”.
A gunfight had erupted near Ratnipora village on Monday evening after security forces on specific information surrounded the area for searches.
“While the soldiers of the army and police were in the process of establishing cordon, the terrorists opened indiscriminate fire and intermittent exchange of fire continued through the night,” a defence spokesman in a statement said on Tuesday evening.
“The area was effectively cordoned off sealing the escape routes. The operations continued through the night and got over around midday on Tuesday resulting in elimination of two terrorists. The identity of the terrorists has been ascertained as Showkat Lone and Gulzar Ahmad Bhat both of LeT Tanzeem. The operation was called off after a thorough search and bodies of the terrorists were handed over to the police,” the statement added.
The bodies were later taken to the security force camp at Malangpora.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed grief over Bhat's death. The working president of opposition National Conference has expressed his heartfelt condolences with the bereaved family for the inconsolable loss.
"This is tragic news. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and pray for peace to the departed soul," Omar said.
