Nowpora Youth’s Killing: Army Says Resorted To Aerial Firing After ‘Violent Mob’ Tried To Overpower Troops

Srinagar, Jun 15: Army on Thursday said it resorted to aerial firing, extricated themselves after a “violent mob” tried to overpower the troops at Nowpora Payeen area of Lasipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Army personnel was conducting an Area Domination Patrol in an MPV. The road at Naupora was blocked due to 3-4 cars being parked on the wrong side of the road. Army personnel got off their vehicle to request the drivers/ owners to move the cars. The house reportedly belonged to Aabid Manzoor Magray, army’s Srinagar-based defence ministry spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia said in a statement.

“On seeing the Army personnel, a huge crowd gathered at the site and started pelting stones and closing on to the troops endangering the safety of the troops and government property. The troops cautioned the crowd verbally. However, the mob turned violent and tried to overpower the troops. Army personnel resorted to aerial firing, extricated themselves and continued with their patrol,” the spokesman added.

Earlier, a teenaged youth Viqas Ahmad Rather was killed and two others suffered injuries after army allegedly opened fire on protesters.

Locals of the area alleged that the troopers raided a number of houses including one of militant’ s house which triggered clashes in the village.

“The troops vandalized the property and beat up the residents,” they alleged.(GNS)