Indian troops kill two civilians in occupied Kashmir

Srinagar, June 30, 2013 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh acts of state terrorism martyred two civilians in Bandipora district, early this morning.

One civilian, Irfan Ahmad Ganai, was shot dead when the troops opened fire during a siege and search operation at Markandey in Sumbal area of the district. One more civilian, Irshad Ahmad Dar, was killed and several others were injured when the troops fired upon the protesters demonstrating against the killing of Irfan. Local residents said that firing by the troops was unprovoked. Situation in the area is tense after the killings.

The killings triggered massive demonstrations in the area. Several people were injured in the clashes between the protesters and the police. On of the injured Muhammad Maqbool Sofi was rushed to Srinagar hospital for specialized treatment. Locals said that the police were restricting entry into the area.

Meanwhile, Ghulam Nabi Ganai, father of martyred Irfan Ahmed Ganai, said that his son was innocent and was killed by the troops without any reason. He told media men that Irfan had gone to keep watch over his cowshed but the troops hit him with a baton first and then fired two bullets at him, one in the head and the other in his right arm, killing him on the spot.

He said that at around 3:00am, the troops came in a private vehicle to the area. He said that there had already been some incidents of cattle theft in the area and the villagers raised an alarm, not realising the men were troopers. He said after killing Irfan the troops stood outside the doors of houses, shouting, abusing people, warning them not to come out.

He said that after the incident, the locals took to the streets and then the troops fired again, killing another youth, Irshad Ahmed Dar.

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Kashmir Media Service
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