A Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) legislator on Tuesday termed the killing of three civilians in security forces firing in Chadoora area of Budgam district as “target killing”.

Javed Mustafa Mir, PDP MLA from Chadoora constituency in central Kashmir asked Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to order the police to lodge an FIR against the army personnel responsible for the killings. “It is a target killing and a cold blooded murder. Mehbooba Mufti, who is also the home minister, should ensure that FIR is lodged against the culprits. Those responsible for the killings should be given exemplary punishment,”.

Justifying the stone pelting by protesters at the encounter site, Mir, who was dropped as revenue minister last year said, “Even if people were pelting stones on forces, you don’t have a licence to kill them with bullets.”