Political leaders condemned the killing and demanded action against the security personnel involved
Srinagar:
A civilian was killed in firing by security forces in Kashmir’s Anantnag this evening. Police said the man died when CRPF personnel at a checkpost opened fire in “self-defence” at a vehicle, which did not stop despite being signaled.
The incident comes at a time when Kashmir is on high alert in the wake of civilian killings by terrorists. In the last six days, the terrorists have killed seven people.
The man killed in the incident was reportedly a resident of Jammu and was traveling back.
Jammu and Kashmir Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar said, “The vehicle ran towards the naka party. It was then challenged by the soldiers on duty. The soldiers opened fire in self-defence and one person was killed.”
Mr Kumar said the driver of the SUV managed to escape and the identity of the person killed in the shootout is being confirmed.
Several political leaders have condemned the killing and demanded action against the security personnel involved.
PDP chief and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti termed it as “the beginning of a knee-jerk reaction” and said the civilian’s death was the result of “proportional force” used by the CRPF.
“This appears to be the beginning of a knee-jerk reaction to what has happened during the last two days. There has been disproportionate use of force by the CRPF which has resulted in the death of this innocent civilian. What is the trigger happy of the personnel? Will any action be taken against him?” He tweeted.
Earlier today, the headmaster and a teacher of a government school were shot dead in Srinagar.
Terrorists entered Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Idgah area of Srinagar and shot a teacher Deepak Chand and principal Sunder Kaur at close range. On Tuesday, 70-year-old Makhan Lal Bindu, a prominent businessman and owner of a pharmacy, was shot dead inside his store in Srinagar’s Iqbal Park. Two more people died on the same day – Virendra Paswan, a resident of Bhagalpur in Bihar and working as a street food vendor in Srinagar, and Mohammad Shafi, the chairman of a taxi stand.
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir has said that the perpetrators of the attacks will be given a ‘befitting reply’.
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