Civilian killed in Kupwara ambush

Srinagar, December 17

A civilian was killed allegedly in Army firing during an ambush in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, the police said on Sunday.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Asif Iqbal, a driver by profession, was injured in firing by Army personnel during an ambush at Thandipora area of Kupwara last night, a police official said.

Iqbal was rushed to a hospital at Kralpora where from he was referred to a hospital here, but he succumbed on the way, the official said.

Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said the Army had placed an ambush in Thandipora village on Saturday night after being tipped off about the presence of militants.

"At around 10.55 p.m., the military observed suspicious movement of three persons which prompted the security forces to open fire, leading to a gunfight," the officer said.

"In the cross-fire, a person, later identified as Asif Iqbal Bhat, a taxi driver, was killed due to a gunshot wound," he added.

But villagers alleged that Bhat succumbed to injuries he sustained when an Army patrol fired at a vehicle.

As people took to the streets shouting slogans on Sunday, security forces used tear smoke to disperse them. Internet was suspended across Kupwara district. — Agencies