Protest in Kashmir after man shot dead

Protesters blocked a main highway in Kashmir yesterday after a young man was shot dead by the army in what military officials described as an “accidental” shooting. Ashiq Hussain Rather, 22, was killed late Friday when a soldier accidentally fired his rifle as security forces combed the area for militants, the army said. The killing occurred in the Baramulla district of the scenic Kashmir Valley. “It was a case of the accidental discharge of a single bullet by a soldier which led to the unfortunate incident,” Lieutenant General S A Hasnain said. “The deceased was innocent. Inquiries have been ordered,” he added. Police used batons and teargas to disperse the protesters who were blocking traffic along the main Kupwara-Baramulla highway in Kashmir. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the government would investigate the death. “We will ascertain the facts and any action will follow after that,” Abdullah said.“We have to find out the exact circumstances that led to the youth’s death. It has to be found out whether the standard operating procedure was followed by the troops during the operation in the area.“I have sent my MOS (minister of state) home and the DGP to visit the place. I would not be able to confirm right now whether I would be going to the village today or not.”