Pulwama: Locals ask why Army didn't fire in air
What's the story
The death of seven civilians in Kashmir's Pulwama on Saturday has sparked outrage in the valley with locals saying the Army officers should have fired in the air to disperse the crowd. At Sirnoo village of the district, an encounter led to the death of three terrorists. One Army man was martyred too. The violence was condemned by political leaders in the valley.
What happened
J&K Police released statement about the operation
About the incident, the J&K police in an official release said shots were fired after crowd came 'dangerously close' to the encounter site. "The injured were evacuated to hospital, where unfortunately seven persons succumbed to their injuries... The loss of civilians is deeply grieved," the release read. Dr. Rashid Para, Medical Superintendent Pulwama District Hospital said at least 30 patients were brought.
Situation
Chaos and sadness took over hospitals
Dr. Para said they referred 12 patients, who had suffered pellet injuries or gunshots, to SMHS and SKIMS (Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences) in Srinagar. Medical Superintendent of SMHS said one patient was brought dead. The hospital's corridor was full of young men discussing the situation and lamenting that they have lost count of these incidents, IE reports. Some waited for news from relatives.
Locals' side
Grieving relatives say Army didn't give warning before firing
Asim Ahmad, whose 20-year-old cousin Jehangir was shot in the abdomen, said the latter was just a bystander like many others. "The firing took place in an open orchard not more than 100 feet from the encounter site. They could have shot in the air to disperse the crowd, but they did not," he said. Another local said the soldiers fired without any warning.
Reactions
Separatists call for three-day shutdown, Omar Abdullah terms it 'massacre'
Separatist leaders have called for a three-day shutdown in the valley. Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also fumed at the violence calling it a 'massacre'. He tweeted, "7 dead. There is no explanation for this excessive use of force, none what so ever." PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti slammed Governor's rule and said no amount of probe will bring back the lives of innocents.
Twitter Post
"No country can win war by killing its own people"
How long are we going to shoulder the coffins of our youngsters? So many civilians killed today post encounter in Pulwama. No country can win a war by killing its own people. I strongly condemn these killings , and once again appeal for efforts , to stop this blood bath .
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) December 15, 2018