Conflict

Youth killed as people try to break CASO in Shopian

Representational Photo (FPK file Photo: Vikar Syed)

Srinagar: A youth was killed and many others injured as people tried to break Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Shopian district on Tuesday evening.

Farooq Ahmad, name changed, told the FreePressKashmir that hundreds of armed personnel from Indian Army’s 44 RR, J&K police and para-military CRPF cordoned off Ganowpora area of Shopian.

Farooq is a shopkeeper who runs his business from main town Shopian.

“It is believed that a local militant was in the village when forces laid siege around the village,” he said.

However, he added, hundreds of people came out on streets moments before Iftaar (evening meals time during holy Ramzan) and tried to break the search operation.

“Shouting pro-freedom slogans, the protestors tried to help militant escape the cordon,” he said.

Incessant rains are continuing in the area, he informed.

Slain Adil Farooq Magray

“The armed forces opened fire in which many civilians were injured who were rushed to hospital,” he said.

However, the doctors at district hospital Shopian declared one youth dead on arrival.

He has been identified as Adil Farooq Magray, a 19-year-old student.

A resident of Ganowpora, he was a student of BA Ist year at government run Degree College Shopian.

“He has been hit by the bullet in chest,” sources in the hospital told the FreePressKashmir. The body is still in the hospital as the family was yet to be informed about the tragedy.

If reports are to be believed one local militant  namely Zahid Ahmad Mir is still in the area as forces have not retreated.

A neighbour of Adil told the FreePressKasmir that at the peak of 2016 public uprising, he was arrested by Indian army in Shirmal area of the district.

“The Indian army soldiers took him along to some place where he was tortured,” he said. “It was only after the intervention of elders from our village that he was set free.”

The torture, he said, had a “life changing” impact on him.

“Adil would mostly stay his home after that incident,” he said.

Eldest among his siblings, Adil studied in Muhammadia High School Shopian before he joined Government run Boys Higher Secondary School as a medical student and then government Degree College this year as Humanities student.

His family includes his grandmother, his father, mother and five more brothers.

Farooq Ahmad Magray, the slain youth’s father, is a fruit grower.

“Adil was not interested in sports at all,” he informed. “Nor would he be seen roaming with youth of his age.”

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