A civilian was killed and four others, including a paramilitary trooper, wounded in a grenade blast in Pulwama district of south Kashmir on Friday.An official said that militants lobbed a grenade at a police party in Murran chowk, resulting in injuries to four civilians and CRPF trooper. One of the injured civilians identified as Muhammad Ayub Wani of Gosu village succumbed to injuries at a hospital, he said.The injured trooper Dalbir Singh, who reportedly suffered critical injuries, was shifted to Srinagar for advanced treatment, he said.Doctors at District Hospital Pulwama told CNS that splinter had pierced the heart of Muhammad Ayub, and he was brought dead in the hospital.Witnesses said that shortly after the blast youth pelted stones on the government forces. They were demanding release of the arrested youth picked up by Forces in different raids.Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti condemned the killing of the civilian.The Chief Minister said killings and violence have done no good to societies but have only added up the miseries and wounds of people leaving behind a trail of tragedies.Mehbooba Mufti has also sympathized with the injured in the blast and prayed for their speedy recovery.
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in Ratnipora village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district against night raid and arrests. Reports said that the 22 youths were picked up during a raid last night for their alleged involvement in stone-pelting during a PDP minister’s visit to the village on Feb 27.All shops and commercial establishments are closed while traffic is off the roads in the village. A police official said that some of the youth involved in stone-pelting incidents have been picked up. He however didn’t divulge the names of the arrested youth.Clashes and pro-freedom protests were witnessed in different parts of Kashmir Valley including capital city Srinagar on Friday.The call for after Friday protests was forwarded by joint Resistance leadership. A peaceful protest was held by Resistance organizations in Maisuma locality of Srinagar city. Protesters carrying placards and banners seeking resolution to Kashmir issue, release of detainees from jails and end of the use of pellet guns tried to march towards city centre Lal Chowk, however, they were stopped by police while some of them were detained by police.
Protesters alleged that police used force on them though they were peaceful. Reports said that six separatist leaders detained by police were Sheikh Abdul Rashid, Noor Muhammad Kalwal, Irfan Ahmed Khan, Imtiyaz Ahmed Parrey, Prof Javaid and Mehrajuddin Parrey. Showkat Ahmed Bakshi and Ghazi Javaid Baba were also part of the protest march.Protests and clashes erupted in Nowhatta area of Srinagar city, reports said. Scores of youth waving green flags clashed with government forces who retaliated with tear-smoke shells. The intense clashes left many people injured. The intense clashes between youth and Forces disrupted vehicular movement in Nowhatta and its adjoining areas. Clashes erupted in Parimpora area also after a group of youth hurled rocks on police after Friday prayers. Witnesses said that some youth pelted stones on the police who retaliated with mild force. Stone pelting incidents were also reported from Saraf Kadal area of old Srinagar city.Reports from Pulwama said that clashes broke out between Government Forces and protesters in the town before and after Friday prayers. Scores of youth who were demanding the release of boys from detention centres pelted stones on police and CRPF personnel. Forces used tear-smoke shells to disperse the protesters.
A photo journalist Kamran Yousuf working for Daily Greater Kashmir alleged that some SOG men thrashed him and tried to snatch his camera while he was performing his duties. “I was taking pictures of the clashes. SOG men came running towards me and asked me to stop filming. They slapped me and kicked me in the abdomen,” said Yousuf and added that: “I told them that I am a photojournalist and just performing my duties. But they didn’t listen to reason and instead beat me up.”Clashes erupted between protesters and government forces in north Kashmir’s Sopore town after congregational Friday prayers. Reports said that groups of youth tried to march from Jamia Masjid area amid pro-freedom slogans, but were stopped by the government forces already deployed in strength in the area. A pro-freedom protest was held at Nadihal Rafiabad area of district Baramulla that was led by separatist leader Abdul Samad Inqalabi. A police official said that barring few incidents of stone-pelting at Nowhatta and Pulwama situation across Valley remained peaceful. (CNS)