Thousands protest alleged fake encounter in Kupwara

Thousands of people protested in the Rafiabad area of Baramulla district on Saturday against the alleged fake encounter killing of three youths in Kupwara district. The police used rubber bullets, teargas, and canes to stop a protest march, leaving at least seven injured. The crowd refused to bury the bodies until action was taken against those responsible.

The three victims, Mohammad Shafi, Shehzad Ahmad, and Riyaz Ahmad, were killed on April 30 in Machil sector and were labelled militants by the Army. The police have arrested three individuals, including a special police officer and a Territorial Army soldier, for involvement in the killings. The Hindu reports that two senior officers of the Army unit involved are being recalled for investigation, though no Army official has been booked yet.

A murder case has been registered. The protests also included anti-India slogans, while a separate shutdown call by the Hurriyat Conference paralysed normal life in Kashmir against Congress president Sonia Gandhi's visit.