One killed, several injured in clashes in Srinagar

At least one person was killed and several others injured when security forces opened fire on protesters in the old city area, moments after polling for Lok Sabha elections in Srinagar constituency ended on Wednesday evening.

The police said after the polling concluded, a party of security forces came under attack in Nawakadal area of old city. 

“The miscreants snatched the weapon of a security personnel. In the ensuing scuffle, two persons, identified as Bashir Ahmed Bhat and Nazir Ahmed Kaloo, got injured. Bhat later on succumbed to his injuries while Kaloo is out of danger,” a police spokesperson told Deccan Herald.

Reports said that Bhat (24) was hit by a bullet in his abdomen. He was shifted to SKIMS Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. 

The news spread like wild fire in the old city, with youth taking to streets to protest against the killing, reports said, adding stone-pelting protesters attacked paramilitary CRPF posts at several places.

Eyewitnesses noted that as the procession of the slain youth made way to his native Nawakadal locality, security forces used teargas and aerial firing to disperse protesters.

There were reports of injuries to two CRPF personnel in the clashes. And many people were also reported to have sustained injuries, but police refused to confirm the exact number of those injured. Protests took place in several parts of the city till this report was being filed.  Separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin have called for a complete shutdown on Thursday to protest against the killing. Authorities have decided to impose curfew in seven police station areas of old city to prevent protests from spreading to other areas.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that circumstances leading to the killing of the youth would be thoroughly probed.