Kashmir Protests Continue, Youth Critically Injured

SRINAGAR: A youth was critically injured Wednesday when forces opened fire and burst teargas shells and pellet grenades to disperse protestors in south Kashmir's Bijbehara.

Eyewitnesses said the victim identified as Naseer Ahmed Dar, a resident of Bijbehara, was hit in the head when police and paramilitary forces fired shots, teargas and pellets to break a demonstration in Bijbehara against the killing of Zahid Ahmad Bhat.

Bijbehara is the home constituency of J&K chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

“Naseer was hit by a shell on his head. He was bleeding profusely and doctors at Bijbehara hospital referred him to Srinagar's SMHS Hospital," Niyaz Ahmad Mir, an eyewitnesses said.

Authorities have imposed strict restrictions in parts of south Kashmir to prevent any protests against Zahid's killing but there have been sporadic protests which have boiled down to clashes between cops and agitated youths at various places.

Sources said Naseer was hurt in one such protest against the killing of Zahid, a resident of Botengu in Anantnag, who succumbed to injuries at New Delhi's Safdarjung hospital on Sunday.

Zahid was injured along with the driver - Showkat Ahmad- when a stationary truck was attacked with petrol bombs by right-wing activists in Udhampur on October 9. Showkat is also undergoing treatment at Safdarjung hospital where his condition is believed to be stable.

Clashes have been taking place on the four consecutive day in south Kashmir areas against the attack. A shutdown is being observed in parts of south Kashmir including Bijbehara, Batengo, Uranhal and Anantnag.

Zahid's death has sparked tensions in Kashmir Valley where a complete shutdown was observed on Monday. Demanding capital punishment for the accused, veteran Hurriyat leader, Syed Ali Geelani, has called for post-Friday prayer protests against the attack.