Civilian killed 'during ambush' by army in Kupwara, massive clashes erupt, internet snapped
Ashif Iqbal, a sumo driver died in an ambush laid by the army against militants in Kupwara district.
A sumo driver was killed by army soldiers during an ambush.The army laid an ambush after receiving information about the movement of militants in Kralpora village of Kupwara district in north Kashmir.
Asif Iqbal, a driver by profession, was injured in firing by troops during an ambush at Thandipora area of Kupwara last night. He was rushed to a hospital at Kralpora in Kupwara from where he was referred to a hospital in Srinagar, but he succumbed on the way in Sopore.
His family members said that the driver was shot at by the army just few yards from his house as he was about to start the engine of his van to ferry a patient to a hospital.
"As he moved a few yards away from his house, the troops fired at him, leaving him in pool of blood. He succumbed to his injuries in Sopore," they added.
Army's Srinagar based defence spokesman in a statement issued said: "Based on information of presence of militants in Thindpura village, army placed ambushes to maintain surveillance over the area on night of 16/17 December. At around 10pm, ambush party observed suspicious movement of three persons near nallah in Thindpura village".
Kupwara police has lodged an FIR in Kralpora Police Station. Police and civil administration will provide all help to the bereaved family, the statement added.
After the killing of the sumo driver, massive clashes erupted in various parts of Kupwara district. An independent MLA Er Rashid from Kupwara led a protest along with his supporters against army.
Men women and a large number of youth joined the procession chanting pro-plebiscite and anti-army slogans. They demanded immediate arrest of the culprits. The procession after breaking many security barriers reached the outskirts of Thandipora, where police resorted to heavy shelling and arrested Er. Rasheed along with dozens of his supporters.