1 dead, over dozen injured in clashes between police, protesters in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Rasa - At least one person has been killed and over a dozen others sustained injuries during one of several intense clashes that erupted between police forces and pro-independence protesters in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police say.

News ID: 438286

Date: 17 June 2018 - 23:42

RNA - According to a statement by the local police, the “preliminary investigation” revealed that the young man lost his life in Brakpora village in Anantnag district of southern Kashmir on Saturday after a hand grenade went off in his hand “resulting in the death of Sheraz Ahmad due to splinter injuries.”

It added that the violent protests occurred shortly after prayers on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, an Islamic holiday that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Sheraz Ahmad is the second civilian who has lost his life in the region during the past 24 hours. On Friday, a teenager was killed by Indian police’s gunshot in Pulwama.

Demonstrations and clashes were reported at several localities across the disputed Himalayan region, including the main city of Srinagar, the capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, with protesters shouting, “Go India, go back” and “We want freedom.”

According to medics, most of the 17 wounded protesters were hit by pellets shot by Indian police and paramilitary troopers in an attempt to disperse hundreds of demonstrators.

Tensions have spiked in Srinagar in recent weeks after police were accused of firing teargas and shotgun pellets inside the city's main mosque and two protesters died after being crushed by paramilitary vehicles.

According to Press TV, Kashmir has been divided between Pakistan and India since the end of British colonial rule in 1947. Both sides claim the region in full.

However, many people in New Delhi-controlled Kashmir, who are mainly Muslims, are opposed to Indian control and seek either autonomy or a merger with Pakistan.

New Delhi accuses Islamabad of supporting pro-independence fighters, an allegation rejected by the Pakistani government.

Islamabad, in turn, is critical of India's heavy military deployment to Kashmir and its crackdown against the region's Muslim population.

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