Srinagar clashes over killing of youths in army firing

Groups of youth started pelting stones at police personnel posted on law and order duty in Nowgam area minutes after the two deceased youth -- both local residents – were laid to rest, police said.

Cops used tear smoke shells to chase away the protestors but intermittent clashes were going on in the area, the police said.

So far there were no reports of any one getting hurt in the clashes.

Two youth were killed and two others injured, who were travelling in a car, when they were fired upon by army personnel in Chattergam area of Budgam district at 5pm on Monday.

Read: Two killed, two injured as Army allegedly opens fire at car

The army had claimed that the youths did not pay heed to signals to stop at three barriers set up by security forces.

"Three motor vehicle check points were established along the route to nab the militants. The car in which these youth were travelling did not stop at two check points when they were flagged down. They even broke through the third barrier at Chattergam leading to the security forces opening firing on them," Army said in a statement.

The Army has ordered a court of inquiry into the incident to ascertain the facts even as it regretted the loss of lives in the incident.

Police also has lodged an FIR into the incident and started investigations.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the deaths of two youths in army firing in Budgam have "vitiated" the election atmosphere in the Valley and stressed that such incidents have no place in an improving security situation in the state.

These deaths have served to vitiate the poll atmosphere already strained by the post flood reconstruction challenge that people face 3/n.