SRINAGAR: While a 28-year-old youth, fired upon outside an army camp at Chattergam in central Budgam district on Friday, succumbed to wounds, former chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti, and Omar Abdullah condemned the killing.
After being critically injured, the youth, Ishfaq Ahmad Ganie son of Nazir Ahmad Ganie, was shifted to SMHS hospital late last night and was later referred to SKIMS. “He was declared dead by the doctors at SKIMS around 1 a.m.,” said a relative of Ishfaq. A resident of Magraypora, Ishfaq was a carpenter by profession. Hundreds of people participated in his funeral at his native village.
Army issued a statement, claiming that Ishfaq was “shot at by militants some 500-600 meters away from the army camp at Chattergam.”
“When the army soldiers heard the sound of firing, the ‘Quick Reaction Team’ immediately rushed towards the direction of fire to find out what was happening. When the party reached the spot, they saw Ishfaq in a pool of blood,” said Army’s Srinagar-based spokesman, Colonel Rajesh Kalia, in the statement.
He said Ishfaq had bullet injuries, one in the head and the other in the leg, and was immediately taken to Chitergam hospital from where doctors shifted him to SMHS hospital.
“The reports of individual lobbing a grenade on an army camp and the army retaliating are completely baseless,” Kalia said.
Meanwhile, PDP chief and the former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti demanded an inquiry into the incident and also sought compensation to the victim’s family.
“Deeply disturbed by the news of the killing of a youth in Budgam. Urge Guv Malik to strictly ensure that forces are made accountable for protecting civilians and avoiding collateral damage. My condolences to the bereaved family,” Mehbooba tweeted.
Earlier, Former chief minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah asked the government to end ambiguity surrounding the killing Ishfaq.
“Conflicting reports of the circumstances surrounding Ishfaq Ahmed’s shooting. It’s imperative that the administration establish the factual position to the satisfaction of the people, especially Ishfaq’s family. May Ishfaq find his place in Jannat,” tweeted Abdullah. (GNS)
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