Two teenagers among four killed in IHK clashes

Indian SC questions use of pellet guns

HELD SRINAGAR: Three civilians and one freedom fighter were killed and at least 28 people were injured on Tuesday in clashes between protesters and troops and police in Indian Held Kashmir (IHK), police said.

While the Indian Supreme Court (SC) has asked its government about the use of pellet guns to quell stone pelting mobs in held Kashmir as it concerns life and death.

The clashes started when soldiers cordoned off a house in a village in central Chadoora area in which at least one freedom fighter -- who was killed later in the day -- was hiding, said Inspector General of Police, Javid Gillani.

Hundreds of villagers, in a show of support for the freedom fighter, threw stones at soldiers who had cordoned off the house. Three people were killed in the ensuing clashes in which government forces fired tear gas and ammunition to disperse the protesting crowds, Gillani said.  Another police officer speaking on condition of anonymity said at least 28 people were injured, including eight government forces personnel.

One freedom fighter was killed in the operation and one weapon was recovered from the scene, said army spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia. According to Kashmir Media Service, teenage boys, identified as Zahid Rashid and Saqib Ahmad, were killed after being hit by bullets of Indian troops. The martyrs were among the protesters who had gathered at Chadoora to rescue some youth, who had been besieged by Indian troops.

Zahid was the lone brother of five sisters. A youth was killed when forces blasted a house in the area. Some of the injured have been identified as Mubashir Dar, Bilal Ahmad Dar, Nazir Dar, Ashraf Yatoo, Owais Hassan Dar and Saqib Ahmad Butt.

Meanwhile, Indian Supreme Court (SC) has asked its government to consider means other than use of pellet guns to quell stone pelting mobs in held Kashmir as it concerns life and death.

A bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar also expressed concern over injuries suffered by minors involved in protests. The top court asked Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to file a detailed reply on what alternate effective steps could be taken to deal with agitating mobs in held Kashmir.

On December 14 last year the Supreme Court had said pellet guns should not be used indiscriminately for controlling street protests in held Jammu and Kashmir and be resorted to only after proper application of mind by the authorities. A bench headed by the then Chief Justice TS Thakur had issued notices to New Delhi and Srinagar while seeking their replies on a plea about excessive use of pellet guns in the territory.