Massive clashes erupted in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Sunday against the killing of a cab driver during an ambush laid by the Army to capture militants. While the State administration announced probe into the killing, the Army said the individual died during the exchange of fire with militants.
locals said Asif Iqbal Bhat, a 22-year-old cab driver ventured out of his home at Thandipora village in Kralpora pocket of Kupwara late in the night after he received a phone call to escort a patient to hospital. As soon as he came out of his home, he was fired upon and fell down in a pool of blood. The locals tried to shift him to hospital but he died midway.
Police have termed the killing a case of “mistaken identity”.
Thousands of people from various village participated in the funeral. The shouted pro-freedom and pro-Islam slogans and demanded punishment to the guilty.
Independent legislator Sheikh Abdur Rashid also joined the protests demanding registration of case against the cul;prits. He was later taken into custody and detained in nearby police station. The procession of mourners was intercepted by police leading to clashes that continued for hours. Police used teargas shells to disperse the protesters. One police official was reported to have sustained stone injury during clashes.
Police said the situation in Kupwara was under control. Reports said complete shutdown was observed in Kralpora area and partial shutdown in the adjoining parts.
Srinagar based defence spokesman lt Col Rajesh Kalia in a statement said that on the basis of information of presence of militants in Thindpura village, army placed ambushes to maintain surveillance over the area on night 16/17 December. “At around 2255 hours, the ambush party observed suspicious movement of three persons near nallah in Thindpura village, the statement said adding the individuals were challenged by troops, however, they did not respond. Thereafter, militants opened fire towards Army ambush party which was retaliated to. In the crossfire one person identified as Asif Iqbal Bhat of Thindpura was killed due to gunshot wound. “The investigations are in progress,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, a police statement said that an FIR has been lodged in Police Station Kralpora Kupwara and investigation has been started.
Army Sunday said that Asif Iqbal was killed in the crossfire.
Giving details, an Army official said based on information of presence of militants in Thindpura village, Army placed ambushes to maintain surveillance over the area on night 16/17 December.
Meanwhile, the incident evoked widespread condemnation across the Valley.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti expressed grief over the death. An official spokesman said that the Chief Minister has directed the district administration to speed up the probe into the killing to know the reasons behind the incident and punish the persons, if found involved in the killing. She also expressed sympathies with the braved family