SRINAGAR: Hundreds of infuriated residents clashed with Indian securityforces Thursday after four persons, including a woman, were martyredfollowing an alleged firefight.
Counterinsurgency police and federal paramilitary forces surrounded theBatamaloo neighbourhood of Srinagar after midnight following a tip-off thatmen alleged to be armed militants were hiding inside a residential house,triggering an exchange of fire.
Three men, believed to be locals, were martyred in the firefight thatlasted several hours, police announced on Twitter.
“One young woman also died during the encounter,” a police officer told AFP.
“The woman was caught in the crossfire. Her death is unfortunate,” directorgeneral of police Dilbagh Singh told reporters.
A paramilitary trooper was also injured during the firefight, Singh said.A security personnel aims a slingshot during clashes between protesters andgovernment forces in Batamaloo area of Srinagar on September 17, 2020. AFP
As news of the deaths spread hundreds of residents took to the streets,throwing stones at government forces who fired tear gas and metal pellets.
The crowd shouted slogans, such as “Long live Pakistan” and “We wantfreedom”, according to an AFP photographer at the scene.
No injuries were immediately reported from the clashes.
Armed encounters between freedom fighters and government forces arefrequent in the territory, but rare in the capital city.
The last such firefight occurred in June, and left three locals dead and 15houses destroyed in the heart of Srinagar.
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Thursday´s deaths came a day after similar protests in northeasternKashmiri town Sopore, where Irfan Ahmed Dar, 26, was found dead hours afterhe was detained by police.
Dar’s family allege police tortured and killed him, later dumping his bodyin an open area.
Police however claim Dar was an overground associate of anti-India rebelsand escaped from police custody before he was found dead.
Dar’s body was not released to his family, and officers buried him in agraveyard reserved for slain rebels.
At least 192 Kashmiri freedom fighters, 73 government forces personnel and47 civilians have been killed in armed violence this year across thedisputed territory also claimed by Pakistan which administers a part of it.
India and Pakistan have exchanged small arms fire and mortar shells almostdaily for months across their disputed border in Kashmir, leading to thedeaths of soldiers and civilians on both sides.
On Wednesday an Indian soldier was killed during cross border firing in thesouth.
Anxiety and anger has deepened in the restive Himalayan region since Augustlast year when New Delhi revoked its semi-autonomous status and brought itunder direct federal rule. -APP/AFP