Handwara update: The army says it has not filmed the video, in which the girl says she was harassed by a local, but does not talk about molestation by any soldier.


The girl's statement was recorded on a mobile phone when she was reportedly taken by the police during the protests, reports NDTV.


As allegations that the girl had been molested by an army man circulated, protests broke out in Handwara, around 70 km from Srinagar.


The police say security forces opened fire when some 500 protesters surrounded an army post, started throwing stones and tried to burn it down.


Naeem Bhatt, a promising cricketer who had participated in under-19 camps, 70-year-old Raja Begum and Mohammad Iqbal were killed.


The army has regretted the firing but cites the video as proof that there was an "intention to malign" the force.


Defence ministry spokesperson Lt Colonel NN Joshi said: "A video which surfaced is the statement of the girl and that shows there was no molestation."


The spokesperson said the army had not filmed but only released the video and it would investigate whether Standard Operating Procedures were followed.


Pic: Protesters throw stones at an army picket as news of the girl's alleged molestation by army personnel spread in the town. Photo: Umar Ganie.