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Youth shot dead by forces in Anantnag

Srinagar: A youth was killed by armed forces in Anantnag on Friday when people tried to disrupt the cordon and search operation launched by Indian armed forces following reports of militant presence in a village.

Muhammad Ashraf Khar, a resident of Khar Pora Arwani was brought dead to Anantnag district hospital, a doctor told the FreePressKashmir. Many others have been injured by pellets, he added.

Clashes erupted in the area this morning when personnel of Indian army, CRPF and J&K police raided Arwani around 4 in the morning.

The whole area erupted in protests to help the suspected militants to escape. However, forces pushed the youth away who in turn resorted to stone pelting.

“Forces opened fire and fired tear gas shells,” a protestor said. “Ashraf was hit by a bullet and we rushed him to the hospital but he died on the way.”

Locals said that the exchange of fire has stopped. “There is sound of blasts only,” one youth said.

“There is heavy shelling of tear gas going on in the area as thousands of people have assembled in Arwani,” he added.

Anantnag is sixty kilometers from Srinagar and Arwani is a border village between Anantnag and Kulgam districts.

The authorities have snapped internet services in Anantnag and adjoining districts while 3G and 4G services have been shut across the valley.

Ashraf is second civilian shot dead by armed forces in last twenty four hours. On Thursday, a 22-year-old youth was killed when armed forces opened fire on protestors in Rangreth area of the summer capital.

He was identified as Naseer Ahmad Sheikh aka Judge, a resident of Ashtangoo Bandipora.

A cop of Jammu and Kashmir police too was killed when suspected militants attacked a patrol party in Hyderpora area of Srinagar last evening. He too is a resident of Ashtangoo.

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