A complete shutdown is being observed today in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district against the killing of a civilian in army firing in Nowpora-Akhran last evening.
Reports said that all shops and other commercial establishments are closed in Kulgam town and other areas of the district to mourn the death of Ajaz Ahmad Bhat of Akhran-Nowpora.
Bhat was killed after army opened fire into protesters in the village around 7 pm yesterday.
Many residents who spoke to Greater Kashmir on the condition of anonymity said that around 7pm, soldiers of 9 Rashtriya Rifles battalion came down from their vehicles and randomly snatched cellphones of several passersby in Akhran-Nowpora village of Devsar in Kulgam.
“They then started looking into our photo galleries and also beat a few of us,” said Javaid Ahmad, who said he was a witness.
He said the army had twice visited the village during the day.
“When they snatched cellphones people threw stones at them. They fired into protesters and two had bullet injuries,” said Ahmad.
Both the injured were shifted to District Hospital Anantnag, where one identified as Ajaz Ahmad Bhat son of Bashir Ahmad Bhat of Nowpora-Akhran was declared “brought dead”.
The other injured youth, Rayees Ahmad from the same village, was referred to Srinagar hospital.