Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir):At least three youths were killed and two injured when
security personnel fired on protesters when they came under heavy stone pelting in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag District on Tuesday. The victims were identified
as Ishfaq Ahmed Khanday (15), Imtiyaz Ahmad Itoo (17) and Shujatul Islam (19).
Soon after the deaths, fresh violence erupted in the valley. At least 8 youths
have been killed in firing in the valley over the last five days. Earlier, on
Monday, two youths were killed in two different incidents of violence, when security
forces opened fire to disperse mobs indulging in stone pelting in Baramulla and
Sopore Districts. Police had identified the two as Tariq Ahmed Rather, 20, and
Tajamul Ahmad Bhat. Rather was part of a mob proceeding towards Sopore, which
was intercepted by the security forces. He succumbed to bullet injury while being
taken to Baramulla hospital. Bhat was killed in firing as an agitated mob flouted
curfew restrictions in Sopore. He succumbed to bullet injury at the Sopore hospital.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier asked Union Home Minister
P. Chidambaram to help end violence in the state. Expressing concern over civilians
becoming victims of police action in the Kashmir Valley, Abdullah invited Chidambaram
to visit the state. Both Chidambaram and Abdullah agreed on the need to bring
an immediate end to the cycle of violence.
