Barely 15 hours after killing three civilians, including two women in Churat Qazigund, the army in a statement “deeply regretted” the “unfortunate loss of life”.
“The troops were forced to open fire yesterday, when a large mob turned violent resorting to heavy stone pelting and attempted to snatch weapons from the soldiers,” said Col NN Joshi, PRO (Def) Srinagar.
Expressing “grief” over the loss of life and injuries sustained by the protesters, army appealed to the people to maintain “peace and refrain” from attacking security forces or their vehicles or establishments thus “creating situations where the security forces are left with no option but to retaliate in self defence”.
“The army also pledges to provide all possible assistance to the bereaved families and to the persons injured in the unfortunate incident,” the PRO said. “An inquiry has been ordered into the incident.”
