Indian security forces firing, tear-gas shelling leaves two protesting Kashmiris injured

Protests staged over murder of suspected insurgent in Indian Kashmir. Protesters pelted security forces with stones


Web Desk August 07, 2015
Kashmiri protesters throw stones towards an armored Indian police van during a demonstration in Narbal district on the outskirts of Srinagar on April 18, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

Indian forces fired bullets and tear gas on Kashmiri protesters the killing of an insurgent in Indian-occupied Kashmir on Friday.

According to police, at least two people sustained serious injuries after they were wounded by Indian bullets, the Associated Press reported.

The violence erupted after Kashmiris held a funeral procession, and a protests against the murder of an insurgent. Pakistani flags were also waved during the procession and mourners raised slogans of “Down with India” and “We want freedom”.

Angry protestors clashed with government forces on three occasions in Kakpora village, 35 kilometres south of Srinagar, pelting the forces with stones.

Read: Pakistan rejects India's claim of Kashmir militant's Pakistani origin

The suspected insurgent, whose funerals were being held, was killed on Thursday, according to Nitesh Kumar, a senior police officer.

Clashes erupted on Thursday as the Indian police and soldiers raided the village after getting a tip off that some rebels were hiding in there. A gun battle ensued that left Talib Shah, a local commander of Lashkar-e-Taiban, dead.

Two other militants reportedly fled the area.

Once Shah’s body was released, locals staged protests which descended into violence.

Around 68,000 people have been killed in the violence-prone area since the rebel groups started fighting against India in 1989.

Read: Killings spark fear in Kashmir

Pakistan denies alleged BSF convoy attacker is Pakistani

Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan rejected India’s claim that a man, captured for his alleged involvement in an attack on an Indian military convoy in Indian-administered Kashmir, was a Pakistani.

Terming the claims as "unsubstantiated and unwarranted”, government sources told The Express Tribune that the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) records have revealed that Usman Khan is not a Pakistani national.

“NADRA record shows Indian claims of an arrested person, Usman Khan, originating from Pakistan are totally baseless,” the source said.

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