Another person has died in north Kashmir's Handwara town in Kupwara district when security forces allegedly opened fire to disperse protesters.

This takes the toll to three. Naeem Bhatt, a promising cricketer who had participated in under-19 camps, was among those shot. He died in hospital. Another man, Mohammad Iqbal, and an elderly woman, Raja Begum, were also killed.


Protests erupted following allegations that a girl student, on her way home, was molested by a soldier posted in an army picket in the town. Tension gripped the district after youth joined the protesters and started pelting stones at police and army troops.


Inspector general of police, Kashmir zone, Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani told Mukhtar Ahmad/Rediff.com confirmed the incidents of stone throwing.

The Army in statement said that the incident would be investigated and the guilty will not be spared. "The army deeply regrets the unfortunate loss of life. Matter will be investigated and anybody found guilty will be dealt with as per the law," said the statement. Heavy police reinforcements have been dispatched to Handwara to avoid any untoward incident.


J-K CM Mehbooba Mufti said, "Such tragic incidents have a huge negative impact on the efforts of the government and political leadership in bringing peace to state." The Chief Minister has called for exemplary punishment for those who fired at the protesters.


Image: Clashes broke out between army and protesters in Srinagar. Photograph: Umar Ganie