–Clashes erupt between mourners and security forces during funeral of martyr
SRINAGAR: Indian security forces, in their fresh acts of state terrorism, martyred four more Kashmiri youths in three districts in the Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK).
According to Kashmir Media Service, the killings, which took place in Srinagar, Badgam and Islamabad districts, took the number of martyred youngsters to 18 since last Thursday.
The troops killed two youths at Panzan in Badgam and one in Dooru area of Islamabad during search and cordon operations. Another youngster, identified as Muhammad Saleem Malik, was killed when the troops resorted to unprovoked firing on his house in Noorbagh area of Srinagar.
An Indian soldier was killed and two others were injured in an attack at Dooru in Islamabad, the Kashmir Media Service reported.
Thousands of people defied restrictions to attend funeral prayers of the martyrs.
Meanwhile, clashes erupted between the mourners and Indian security personnel when the body of martyr Saleem Malik was being carried to Eidgah in Srinagar for burial.
The killings sparked protests and clashes between the demonstrators and the Indian forces in other areas as well. The protesters, raising pro-independence, pro-Pakistan and anti-India chants, fought pitched battles with Indian troops and police personnel in Panzam, Srinagar, Kulgam, Islamabad and other areas.
The demonstrators also waved Pakistan’s national flag.
The students of Kashmir University, Srinagar, and the Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora Pulwama held forceful demonstrations against the killings, according to the media outlet.
The spokesman of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) in a statement in Srinagar expressed anguish over the killing of Mohammad Saleem Malik by the men in uniform.
Terming the killing as barbaric, he said Indian forces have become thirsty of human blood in Kashmir because they are not being asked questions about their barbaric acts.
Denouncing the killing of a youth in Kupwara area by Indian forces during a cordon and search operation, he said the incident has vindicated the stance that Kashmir has been turned into a large garrison where Indian forces are on a killing spree.
Hurriyat leaders, Muhammad Musaddiq Aadil and Javaid Ahmad Mir in their separate statements in Srinagar condemned the killing of Saleem Malik and described it the worst kind of state terrorism.
Meanwhile, the joint resistance leadership, comprising Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, called for a complete shutdown in the valley on Friday against the killing spree and arrest of Hurriyat leaders and activists in the territory.
In occupied Kashmir, multiple rounds of funeral prayers were held for a martyred youth in Dooru area of Islamabad district.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the youth identified as Muhammad Asif Malik was martyred by Indian troops during a pre-dawn cordon and search operation in Dalwach Qazigund area of Kulgam district Thursday.
Thousands of mourners from Dalwach, Khahgund and adjoining areas participated in the funeral. Mohammad Asif Malik was a resident of Dooru area of Islamabad district.
The authorities suspended Internet services in the district soon after the news about the killing of Asif spread.