Three civilians including a teenage girl were killed in Army firing during clashes in Redwani area of Kulgam District of Jammu and Kashmir on July 7, reports Daily Excelsior. An Army patrolling party opened fire upon a group of youth after they pelted stones on them in Hawoora area of Khudwani near Redwani area on July 7. Five persons were injured and they were taken to nearby Primary Health Centre (PHC) Frisal where three among the injured were declared as brought dead. The deceased were identified as Shakir Ahmad Khanday (22), Irshad Ahmad (20) and Andleeb (16), daughter of Ali Mohammad. The injured were identified as Zahid Ahmad and Yawer Ahmad Dar.
Srinagar based Defence spokesman said that an Area Domination Patrol (ADP) of Army while moving in general area Hawoora in 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,” the spokesman said. He added that the 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”, he said. “In response to this grave provocation and to ensure the security of own troops, controlled firing was resorted to by the Army which resulted in an unfortunate loss of human lives. The matter is being investigated to ascertain facts on the ground,” the spokesman added.
Meanwhile, soon after the funeral of the slain civilians at a school ground in Hawoora village, the people took to streets and staged massive protests against the Army for opening fire on the youth.