Two people were killed and one wounded when security forces allegedly opened fire to disperse protestors in north Kashmir's Handwara town this afternoon.
 
 
After reports of an alleged molestation of a girl by an army jawan spread in the town, a angry mob took to streets and pelted stones at police and armymen.
 
Two persons were killed and another wounded in the town, said a senior police officer. He said another civilian was critically wounded and shifted to Srinagar for specialised treatment.
 
A defence spokesman in a statement said, "The Army deeply regrets the unfortunate loss of life. The matter will be investigated and anybody found guilty will be dealt with as per the law."

 
Inspector General of Police Kashmir zone, Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani told Rediff.com that there was stone pelting in the town following allegations of molestation.
 
 
Police reinforcements have been dispatched to Handwara town and the police is using tear gas to control the situation.


Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar/Rediff.com.