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5 injured in army firing on protestors in Pahalgam

ESS AHMAD. Dated: 10/19/2017 12:18:07 PM

ANANTNAG, Oct 18: Five persons including a woman suffered injuries in army firing on protesters after the braid of a woman was chopped in Wullarhama village of Pahalgam in southern Anantnag district.
Local people alleged that the braid of a woman was cut early morning at around 7.00 AM in Sofipora locality of the village. After the incident the people chased the alleged braid chopper who, locals said, tried to flee in an army vehicle which was parked on the main road at a little distance from the house. Soon the people from different localities of the village hit the streets protesting against the army's alleged aid to the braid chopper.
The protesters, local sources said, resorted to stone throwing at the army vehicle damaging its window panes. As some of the youth surrounded the army vehicle and tried to deflate its tyres, army personnel, local sources said, resorted to direct firing on the protesters. At least five protesters including a woman were injured in army firing. The injured were rushed to SDH Seer where from they were shifted to district hospital Anantnag.
The injured were identified as Zahid Ahmad Mir, Zahoor Ahmad Jan, Irshad Ahmad, Farooq Ahmad Khanday and a woman Mukhti. A doctor said that the injured have been hit by bullets in arms and legs. "One of the injured Irshad Ahmad has suffered a grave injury as he has received many bullets in his leg," the doctor said.
After the army opened fire, people in huge numbers came out and held massive protests. The protesters blocked the busy Pahalgam road halting the traffic movement for the entire day.
The angry protesters, witnesses said, later attacked the army camp with stones at nearby Sallar village. They said that in order to push back the stone pelting youth, the army personnel resorted to aerial firing. Amid protests a complete shutdown was observed in the area with shops and other business establishments remaining shut in Wullarhama and Sallar areas.
Army’s Srinagar based PRO, Col Rajesh Kalia, said that he is ascertaining the facts. "I am ascertaining the facts and will share the details with you later," PRO said when contacted for his version.
Station house officer (SHO) Pahalgam, Shabir Ahmad said that they have registered a case and initiated investigations. "I am still on spot. People allege that army opened fire and we have started investigations into the matter," SHO said.