Two, including budding cricketer killed in J&K firing

According to sources, a school girl while returning home was allegedly molested by some soldiers, after which people started pelting stones on an army picket.  Army resorted to firing to control the mob. Protests erupted in Handwara town of Kupwara district, after this incident of molestation came to light. 

The two youths killed in the firing were identified as Iqbal Ahmad and Nayeem Bhat added the sources. Regarding the Handwara incident, SJM Gillani, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir said,” There was an allegation that a force personnel misbehaved with a girl. When a crowd assembled, tried to ransack the bunker and set it on fire, the forces retaliated, that’s when two people got injured. Later the two injured succumbed to injuries, presently the situation is being brought under control.”

The matter will be investigated and anybody found guilty will be dealt as per the law, an army official said while expressing regret at the loss of lives. The situation continues to remain tense and additional reinforcements have been deployed in the area. Meanwhile, the army has assured to launch a probe into the matter and punish those found guilty.  “Army deeply regrets the unfortunate loss of life. Matter will be investigated and anybody found guilty will be dealt with as per the law,” said a statement from the Army.

Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik and Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have called for a shutdown in the state against the killings.

One of the two youth killed in army firing in Handwara town of Kashmir was a budding cricketer and had attended a national level Under-19 cricket camp three years back.

Nayeem Bhat, a student of Government Degree College Handwara, died when army opened fire to disperse a stone-pelting mob which was protesting against alleged molestation of a girl in the town, about 85 kilometres from here. 

A budding top order batsman, Nayeem had attended an Under-19 national level camp three years ago, his friends claimed.