Badipora erupts over goatherd’s killing by Army

Srinagar, September 9: Massive protests erupted in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Thursday after the Army killed a goatherd during an ambush. Sources said the deceased has been identified as 32-year-old Manzoor Ahmad Pathwal, who was returning from his dhokh (hut) located in the forests when troops of Army's 14 RR opened fire in the Harmukah forests near Kudar last night.

Police have registered a case and started investigations, the sources said, adding the body of the deceased has been handed over to his family after legal formalities.

However, a defence ministry spokesman here said Manzoor was shot dead in a case of ''mistaken identity'' during an ambush in the forests.

“Troops of 14 Rashtriya Rifles had laid an ambush in Kudar forests of Bandipora, 75 kms from here, last night when they noticed some suspicious movement at around 2.30 am today. The man was challenged by the troops but he started running away, forcing the soldiers to open fire which resulted in injuries to the man," the spokesman said.

He said after ascertaining that the injured person was not armed, the troops gave him first aid and tried to evacuate him to a hospital but he succumbed to injuries.

Soon after the news about the incident spread, scores of people took to streets and staged protests against the Army.