A teenage youth who was injured critically during intense clashes between government forces and protesters near encounter site at Badigam village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Sunday, succumbed to injuries at SMHS hospital here.
Sources said that Asif Ahmad Mir (17) son of Ghulam Mohammad, a resident of Rahomo village in neighbouring Pulwama district, sustained a critical bullet wound during the clashes near Badigam. He was shifted to nearby hospital where from he was referred to SMHS Srinagar hospital in critical conditions where he succumbed later, they said. A doctor confirmed the death and said that he had firearm injury on the head. In the encounter, five militants including top Hizb commander Sadam Padder and KU assistant professor were killed.
The gunfight broke out in Badigam village early today after the joint team of Army, SOG and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in the area. A policeman and a soldier of 44 RR were injured in the initial exchange of fire with the militants, reports said. The injured were shifted to 92 base military hospital in Badami Bagh Srinagar. At least a dozen protesters have been injured during clashes near the encounter site.