Another death in police firing in Kashmir

SRINAGAR - Violence made a return to the Kashmir Valley Monday - a man was killed in firing by police during protests after the body of teenager who drowned when chased by police was fished out from a river.

Marine commandos fished out the body of a 13-year old Faizan Ahmad Buhroo, a Class 7 student, from river Jhelum in Baramulla town late in the afternoon.

The body was located by divers some distance away from the spot where the locals alleged he drowned when being chased by police who were after a group of stone pelters.

“The body was fished out from the river and it has been handed over to the relatives for burial,” a senior police officer said.

As news of the body being found spread in Baramulla town, 54 km from capital Srinagar, angry mobs shouting anti-India slogans took to the streets and indulged in heavy stone pelting on the security forces.

A strong mob also tried to torch the house of a special police officer (SPO) who the locals allege was involved in the drowning of the youth.

Police opened fire to disperse the mob, resulting in the spot death of one person identified as Fayaz Ahmad.

As the situation deteriorated authorities moved fresh reinforcements in the town to control the situation.

Police sources said mobs were pelting stones at the police and the paramilitary CRPF in the town, where tension has escalated.