Picture of civilian Asif Ahmad who died in accidental fire in Shopian. Pic: Social media
Srinagar, Oct 5: A civilian was killed in allegedly in an accidental fire in Haal area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Wednesday, police said.
A senior police officer said that the rifle of one of the personnel on Naka duty went off accidentally and fire hit a young man identified as Asif Ahmed of Poterwal Shopian. The civilian suffered critical injuries and was shifted to nearby hospital, the officer said.
Owning to critical condition, he said, the civilian was shifted to SMHS hospital Srinagar where he succumbed to injuries. Police have registered a case in this regard, the officer said.
Locals and political leaders of the area have demanded a probe into the incident.
“Asif Padru of Poterwal Shopian, young Nursing student was shot dead at Hawl Pulwama. This is devastating, a bright young guy Asif, my buddy, planning to do miracles in medical profession was snatched today by cruel hands. This is over cautiousness of state apparatus, within few seconds you destroyed dreams and life of a democratic family. Shame,” wrote local DDC member Raja Waheed on his Facebook handle.
“Strongly condemn the killing of a young civilian Aasif Ah of Poterwal Shopian what Police termed an “accidental fire” in Haal Pulwama. Apart from routine condolences it needs to be thoroughly probed. The bereaved family needs to be fairly compensated with job,.” tweeted former MLA and DDC member Aijaz Ahmad Mir.
Meanwhile, Additional Director General of Police Kashmir zone, Vijay Kumar on Wednesday said that the cop, whose rifle went off accidentally, resulting in the death of a civilian, has been arrested, while a case has also been registered.
Kashmir zone police, while quoting ADGP on its official Twitter handle, said that further investigation into the case was going on.
“Today while on duty at Haal #Pulwama, rifle of a Policeman accidentally went off resulting in injuries to a person. The injured person was immediately evacuated to the hospital by Police. Later on, the injured person namely Mohd Asif Padroo S/O Mohd Ayub Padroo R/O Poterwaal Shopian succumbed to his injuries at hospital. Case registered and Policeman arrested. Further investigation going on,” police tweeted.
Police in a statement said that rifle of an on-duty police personnel went off accidently at Haal area of Pulwama today, resulting in injuries to a person identified as Mohammad Asif Padroo son of Mohd Ayub Padroo resident of Poterwaal Shopian. The injured person was immediately evacuated to the hospital by Police where he succumbed.
In this regard, a case has been registered and the involved police personnel has been arrested. Further investigation in the case is going on
Reacting to the killing, Peoples Democratic Party Leader Mehbooba Mufti wrote: “An overcautious & paranoid security apparatus in J&K has snuffed out an innocent life in Pulwama today. The need to prove normalcy overrides the sanctity of lives here. For how long will people of J&K bear a human cost to further GOIs ‘all is well’ agenda.”
An overcautious & paranoid security apparatus in J&K has snuffed out an innocent life in Pulwama today. The need to prove normalcy overrides the sanctity of lives here. For how long will people of J&K bear a human cost to further GOIs ‘all is well’ agenda. https://t.co/dXoP9Yav4T
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 5, 2022
In another tweet she wrote: “”As if the harsh measures put in place causing grave inconvenience to the people in Kashmir weren’t enough, Asif from Pulwama paid with his life in the name of ensuring security for HM’s visit. My heart goes out to his family.
As if the harsh measures put in place causing grave inconvenience to the people in Kashmir weren’t enough, Asif from Pulwama paid with his life in the name of ensuring security for HM’s visit. My heart goes out to his family. pic.twitter.com/rHWjIQzX2q
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 5, 2022
Omar, others condemn civilian killing in Pulwama
National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah on Wednesday condemned the killing of a civilian in a firing incident in Pulwama.
Expressing condolences with the bereaved family, Omar Abdullah said, “The killing of an unarmed civilian in an “accidental fire” incident in Pulwama district is highly condemnable. There must be a swift, credible & transparent probe into this death. Those responsible must be punished to the fullest extent possible.”
According to a statement party General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq, MP Anantnag Hasnain Masoodi, South Zone President Dr. Bashir Ahmed Veeri, State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, District President Pulwama Ghulam Mohi Ud Mir have also condemned the civilian killing and expressed sympathies with the bereaved
Peoples Conference condemned the killing of a civilian in Pulwama and demanded a transparent and time bound probe into the incident.
“The killing of an unarmed civilian in Pulwama is highly unfortunate and condemnable. We express our deepest condolences to the bereaved family”, PC Spokesperson said in a statement.
PC spokesperson urged the government to investigate the circumstances resulting in this unfortunate incident and ensure justice to the bereaved family.
“The government must thoroughly probe this incident and ensure responsible officers are held accountable. It is incumbent upon the government to ensure timely justice to the bereaved family”, he added.