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J&K violence: Army 'regrets' loss of 3 lives in Qazigund firing, orders probe

The Army also appealed to people to maintain peace and refrain from attacking security forces, their vehicles.

Srinagar: The Indian Army on Tuesday ordered an inquiry into the firing incident at Qazigund in Anantang district of violence-hit Kashmir in which three persons were killed and six others injured.

"An inquiry has been ordered into the incident," a defence spokesman said here. He said Army will provide all possible assistance to the bereaved families and to those injured in the "unfortunate" incident on Monday.

"The Army deeply regrets, the unfortunate loss of life in the incident at Churat, Qaziund where the troops were forced to open fire on Monday when a large mob turned violent, resorting to heavy stone pelting and attempted to snatch
weapons from the soldiers," the spokesman said.

Read: Kashmir violence: J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti calls all-party meeting

The Army also appealed to the people to maintain peace and refrain from attacking security forces or their vehicles.

"Army today appealed to the people to maintain peace and refrain from attacking security forces or their vehicles or establishments thus creating situations where the security forces are left with no option but to retaliate in self defence," the spokesman added.

A police spokesman said a security force party while removing a road blockade at Churaht Qazigund came under heavy stone pelting by miscreants from two sides.

"Some miscreants tried to snatch weapons from them and tried to set ablaze the vehicles. Despite repeated warnings the mob did not disperse and army fired in self defence in an effort to move out from the spot," the spokesman said, adding
three persons were killed in the incident.

With the three fatal injuries, the death toll in security forces’ firings and other actions during the days of turbulence in the Valley has risen to 44.

The J&K government earlier during the day said that as many as 2,125 people have been injured in the incidents of violence reported till 11 am on Monday. One policeman has also been killed and CRPF and J&K police have said that over 1,550 of their men received injuries in mob violence.

Qazigund, 73-km south of here, is the last town along Srinagar-Jammu highway within Kashmir Valley, the 294-km hilly road which connects it with Jammu region and beyond it with rest of the country.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle with agency inputs )
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