Kashmir on edge after forces shot dead a youth

Anger has swept across Kashmir after security forces shot dead a teenager when they opened fire at a protesting mob in Naidkhai village of Sumbal in North Kashmir's Bandipora district on Friday.

Reports said protests had broken out in the area soon after the Friday prayers. However it took a violent turn after some youth pelted stones on the forces.

The tussle between the protesters and security forces continued for several hours before the later opened fire on the mob seriously injuring a youth. Identified as Farhat Ahmad Dar, he was shifted to hospital where he was declared brought dead.

Later, police issued a statement claiming that an unruly mob attacked a security personnel vehicle and tried to set it ablaze in Naidkhai Sumbal on Friday evening.
"Security personnel boarding in the vehicle fired in air to disperse the mob in which one person got injured. The injured person was identified as Farhat Ahmad Dar who unfortunately died on way to the hospital," a police spokesman said.

The spokesman said an appropriate action is being taken into the matter. CRPF spokesman Kishore Prasad said the CRPF troopers have not opened any fire in the area. "I have checked up with the commandant and he has confirmed that they have not opened any fire," he said.

Massive protests rocked the area after the news spread about the killing of the youth People came on roads and started shouting slogans against the government and security forces. Massive reinforcements have been sent to the area to bring situation under control.

The incident has come at a worst time when political parties are trying hard to avoid any controversy given the elections season. Bandipora falls in the Baramulla parliamentary constituency which is going to polls in the last phase on May 7.