Indian troops martyr 12 youth in occupied Kashmir

SRINAGAR (92 News) – Indian security forces have on Sunday martyred 12 innocent Kashmiris during search operations in Islamabad and Shopian districts. Seven innocent Kashmiris martyred in a protracted overnight shootout with Indian forces in Dragad south of the capital Srinagar, where helicopters were seen swooping low over the battle zone. One civilian died and at least fifty were injured as police fired tear gas and pellet guns to disperse stone-throwing protesters. Another man, described by Indian authorities as a militant, was gunned down in a brief exchange of fire in a separate district. Police further said that two Indian soldiers were killed during the operation in Shopian district, today. The authorities have suspended train and Internet services in South Kashmir districts following the killings. Meanwhile, as many as 100 civilians were injured when Indian forces used brute force and fired pellets and bullets on protesters in Draged and Kachdora areas, today. Medical Superintendent (MS) district hospital Shopian, Dr Shafat informed media that they received over 50 injured. Many of them were shifted to Srinagar hospitals for further treatment. “We are unable to maintain the record of the injured because of the heavy rush,” Dr Shafat said. Independent sources say that the number of injured youth may exceed 100. Hundreds of protesters at both the places pelted forces with rocks to stop cordon and search operations. This led to intense clashes between protesters and the troops in Draged and Kachdora areas where seven youth were killed in the operations. The forces used tear gas shells, pellets and bullets to disperse the protesters. Earlier, an youth Rouf Bashir Khanday was killed during an overnight operation at Brunty Dialgam in Islamabad district.