Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 7: Two civilians were injured after an altercation broke out between Army and locals during afternoon prayers at Jamia Masjid in Handwara area of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district today.
An official said that the civilians identified as Abdul Ahad Mir and Mujeeb Ahmad Sofi of Handwara were injured in an accidental fire during an altercation between locals and Army.
He said that the 21 RR party of Army had gone to Jamia Masjid for filming the video of the afternoon prayers to which some people objected resulting in a verbal duel between Army and the civilians.
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The official said that soon after the incident, the injured were shifted to SDH Handwara from where they were shifted to Srinagar hospital for special treatment.
Locals said that during the argument between civilians and Army after they started clicking pictures of people outside the masjid to which locals of the area objected.
Meanwhile, Srinagar based Defence spokesman, Colonel Emron Musavi said that troops of 21 RR were on routine patrol in Handwara town. “In view of Iftar party planned by the Army near the Town Chowk, the troops at about 1.30 pm took few photos of Jamia Masjid, Handwara to showcase happiness and offering of prayers during the holy month of Ramzan,” he said.
“Thereafter they requested a local to get few photos from inside. It is when the local person was going to take photos, some rogue elements protested, and instigated others to get into an altercation with the troops.”
He said that while attempting to pacify them, two-three individuals got into a scuffle with the troops wherein there was an accidental discharge of the weapon, injuring two civilians.
“The crowd was pacified and police in vicinity arrived to control the situation jointly. The crowd was subsequently dispersed and the market was opened for routine activity,” the spokesman said. “Both the injured civilians were evacuated to District Hospital, Handwara and are reported stable, he added.”
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