A youngster from Central Kashmir's Budgam district Wednesday paid a heavy price for jumping the security check point, twice, on Srinagar-Gulmarg road after security forces stationed there opened fire on him resulting in his death.
The deceased has been identified as Mehrajuddin Peer son of Ghulam Nabi Peer resident of Makhama Beerwah Budgam.
As news of his death, at the hands of security forces, spread like wild fire in the area, the district authorities snapped mobile internet services in the area and rushed additional security personnel to handle any law and order situation.
According to police spokesman, "on Wednesday at about 10.20 a.m, during Joint Naka at Khalisa Kawoosa in the jurisdiction of Police Station Magam, a Wagon-R vehicle bearing registration No. JK02AK-6702 was signaled to stop. However, the said vehicle ignored to stop and fled away from two Naka points in suspicious condition".
The police spokesman said, "the Naka party opened fire at the vehicle to thwart the attempt. The driver of the vehicle got injured and was shifted to hospital for medical treatment, however he succumbed to his injuries. Police has registered a case and started investigation in to the matter".
Mainstream political parties in Kashmir valley condemned the killing of a civilian and called for an impartial enquiry to punish the guilty. Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah termed the incident as unfortunate. “Very unfortunate. The circumstances surrounding this shooting need to be impartially investigated & findings made known. My condolences to the family of the deceased,” he tweeted. Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), in a statement, strongly condemned the killing of Mehrajuddin.
“The firing should have been avoided. The loss of innocent lives has the potential to lead to further alienation of the people,” the JKPCC said. The party demanded a probe into the circumstances, which led to the killing of the civilian in order to fix the responsibility.