Srinagar: A 23-year-old youth was killed allegedly in firing by the security forces during a protest demonstration in Pulwama district of South Kashmir, police said.
Bilal Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Padgampora village, was hit by a bullet when BSF personnel allegedly opened fire to chase away youths pelting stones in protest against the killing of two local Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants at a nearby village, a police officer said.
Bhat was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead on arrival by doctors, he added.
The youths were protesting against the death of two militants in a joint operation by police, CRPF and Army at an open field near Ratnipora following an overnight operation.
As the news about death of the militants spread, youths took to the streets at various places and staged violent protests demanding bodies of the deceased ultras.
A BSF team came under gunfire during a protest demonstration by an angry mob, a BSF spokesman told when contacted.
"BSF party came under heavy stone pelting besides firing by an unidentified gunmen from among the mob. The personnel fired in air to chase away the protesters," he said, adding that further details were awaited.
The residents alleged that BSF personnel fired directly on the protesters who were shouting slogans demanding that the bodies of the slain militants be returned. The residents claimed there was no firing from the protesters' side.
