This is an archive article published on April 8, 2022
J&K: 2 civilians injured as Army men open fire
The altercation took place when local residents objected to the Army trying to take pictures of people who had gathered to offer prayers at Jama Masjid.
Two sarpanches were killed in Kulgam and one on the outskirts of Srinagar in March. (File)
TWO CIVILIANS were injured when Army personnel allegedly opened fire during an altercation in north Kashmir’s Handwara Thursday afternoon. The Army, however, termed it “accidental” firing.
The altercation took when local residents objected to the Army trying to take pictures of people who had gathered to offer mid-day prayers at Jama Masjid in Handwara.
“We were preparing for the prayers when the Army personnel entered the compound of the mosque. They were forcing some students to take pictures of those who had gathered for prayers,” alleged an eyewitness, who owns a shop nearby. “The students refused to do so. Those assembled there objected to the Army action, leading to an argument and the Army men opened fire.”
Two persons, both shopkeepers, were injured in the firing. Police sources identified them as Mujeeb-ur-Reham Sofi and Abdul Ahad Mir. They said the two were hit in their limbs. They have been moved to Srinagar for specialised treatment.
The firing triggered protests and traders in Handwara called an indefinite shutdown.
The Army said there was an “accidental discharge of the weapon” during the altercation.
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“In view of the Iftaar party planned by the Army near the town chowk, the troops at about 1.30 pm took few photos of Jamia Masjid Handwara to showcase happiness and offering of prayers…,” Defence spokesman Emron Musavi said in a statement. “Thereafter, they requested a local to get few photos from inside. It is when the local person was going to take photos, some rogue elements protested and instigated others to get into an altercation with the troops. While attempting to pacify them, two or three individuals got into a scuffle with the troops wherein there was accidental discharge of weapon, injuring two civilians.”
Political parties condemned the firing incident. “Condemn today’s incident at Handwara which left two civilians injured post an altercation with the army. GoI’s interference in religious matters by its unwarranted surveillance of a simple act of offering prayers shows that Kashmiris pay dearly for the illusion of Naya Kashmir,” tweeted PDP president Mehbooba Mufti.
Peoples’ Conference leader Sajad Lone called for an impartial probe. “We hope that the erring security forces are held accountable and strict punishment is meted out to those responsible,” Lone said in a statement.
Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter.
Expertise and Experience
Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development.
Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor.
Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans:
Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance.
Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population.
Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley.
Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More
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