In occupied Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh acts of state terrorism martyred 13 civilians and injured as many as 100 in Islamabad and Shopian districts, today.
The youth were killed during cordon and search operations, launched by Indian forces in the two districts of South Kashmir. Seven of the martyrs were killed in Dragad and four in Kachdoora areas of Shopian district. Another youth injured in firing by troops on protesters in Kachdoora succumbed at hospital. Earlier, forces killed a youth identified as Rouf Bashir Khanday in an overnight operation at Dialgam in Islamabad district.
Meanwhile, around 100 civilians were injured when Indian forces used brute force and fired pellets and bullets on protesters in Draged and Kachdora areas, today. Medical Superintendent (MS) district hospital Shopian, Dr Shafat informed media that they received over 50 injured. Many of them were shifted to Srinagar hospitals for further treatment. “We are unable to maintain the record of the injured because of the heavy rush,” Dr Shafat said. Independent sources say that the number of injured youth may exceed 100. At least ten youth in the age group 16 to 26 with eye pellet injuries were brought to SMHS hospital Srinagar from Shopian.
Indian police in a statement in Srinagar claimed that the youth were killed in two gunfights with Indian forces in south Kashmir districts. However, locals refuted the police claim saying that all the youth were killed either in fake encounters or during protests.
The authorities have suspended train and Internet services in South Kashmir districts following the killings.
On the other hand, a two-day shutdown is being observed across the occupied territory from, today, against the killings. Call for the strike has been given by the Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik.
