Youth killed in alleged CRPF firing in Srinagar

A 24-year-old youth was killed when paramilitary CRPF personnel allegedly opened fire on a group of stone pelters in old city on Wednesday.

Police said some security personnel were ferried to SK Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura for donation of blood for injured CRPF personnel of Bemina fidayeen encounter.

“On their return, the vehicle they were traveling in came under the attack of stone pelting and other missiles at Saidpora, Zonimar by miscreants. This resulted in opening up of fire, as a result of which one person Altaf Ahmad Wani son of Abdul Ahad of Saidpora was seriously injured,” police said.

Eyewitnesses said Altaf was hit by a bullet in the chest when CRPF personnel opened fire to clear a road of stone pelters in interior city en-route to SKIMS.

He was rushed to SKIMS hospital in a critical condition where he was declared brought dead.  Director SKIMS, Dr Showkat Zagar said, “He was brought dead to SKIMS. Altaf had received bullets in chest.”

Police sources said the CRPF personnel were heading for SKIMS to donate blood for their colleagues injured in the fidayeen attack.

The CRPF vehicle came under attack by a group of stone-pelting youth during separatist sponsored general strike in support of their demand for the return of mortal remains of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and JKLF founder Mohammad Maqbool Bhat. 

While Guru was hanged on February 9, Bhat was sent to gallows on February 11, 1984.

Reports said immediately after the killing protests erupted in several areas of Srinagar. The situation in the old city was tense as more protesters poured on the roads after hearing about the killing of Altaf.

To ensure that protests don’t escalate government has decided to impose an indefinite curfew in Srinagar district.

According to District Magistrate Srinagar Baseer Ahmad Khan in order to avoid breach of peace and tranquillity besides damage to life and property, restrictions on the movement of public and transport under Section 144 Cr PC are imposed in entire Srinagar district from midnight March 13 till further orders.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar has been directed to implement the restrictions in letter and spirit.