Protests in Kashmir after civilian gets killed

Protests erupted on Sunday in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district against the killing of a civilian driver allegedly by the Army, but the military said the man died in cross-fire between security forces and militants.

Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said the Army placed an ambush in Thandipora village on Saturday night after being tipped off about the presence of militants.

"At around 10.55 p.m., the military observed suspicious movement of three persons which prompted the security forces to open fire, leading to a gunfight," the officer said.

"In the cross-fire, a person, later identified as Asif Iqbal Bhat, a taxi driver, was killed due to a gunshot wound," he added.

But villagers alleged that Bhat succumbed to injuries he sustained when an Army patrol fired at a vehicle.

As people took to the streets shouting slogans on Sunday, security forces used tear smoke to disperse them. Internet was suspended across Kupwara district.

--IANS

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