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9 civilians killed in Kashmir valley in past over 6 weeks

FARZANA SYED. Dated: 2/12/2018 2:54:41 PM

SRINAGAR, Feb 11: A pal of gloom descended in Chaigund village of Shopian district today when the dead body of 17-year old Saima Wani was taken for last rites.
Saima succumbed in Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) here in Srinagar on Saturday evening after battling for life for past around three weeks.
Saima Wani, daughter of Hilal Ahmad Wani, was injured on January 24 allegedly in firing by security forces furing encounter when two local militants were killed in a gunfight with security forces at Chaigund village of Shopian district in South Kashmir.
The slain millitants included Saima’s brother Sameer Ahmad Wani also.
For the family it was a twin tragedy as they had lost their son also earlier.
Thousands of locals from Chaigund, Audoo and other adjoining villages joined the funeral procession of deceased Saima.
The authorities suspended internet services in Shopian and Pulwama districts today as a precautionary measure.
With one more civilian losing life in firing by security forces, nine civilians, which included three women, have died in past over six weeks in Kashmir valley.
In the month of January this year at least five youth were killed in the last week of January alone.
Three youth were killed in firing by army in Shopian district of South Kashmir, while five days ago a teenager was shot dead by security forces in Shopian district only a week back.
19-year old Rayees Ahmad Ganie son of Mohd Yousuf Ganie had received critical injuries on January 27 when Army opened fire on civilian protesters in a village in Shopian district of South Kashmir. The incident had earlier resulted in two civilian killings.
Rayees succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS Hospital here in Srinagar after battling for life for around five days.
Army allegedly shot dead two youth in Ganowpora village of Shopian district in South Kashmir on January 27.
The slain youth were identified as Suhail Javaid, son of Javaid Ahmad Lone of Ganowpora village. Another slain boy was identified as 23-year old Javed Ahmad of of Balpora area of district Shopian.
Pertinently, on January 23, a 17-year old boy identified as Shakir Mir, resident of Qalampora village of Pulwama district was killed in army firing during an encounter between militants and security forces in Chaigund village of South Kashmir’s Shopian.
On Jan 25, 10-year old Musharaf Fayaz suffered critical injuries in his head and face after a shell exploded at the encounter site while a group of people were clearing the debris of the house which was destroyed by the security forces during an encounter.
Musharaf later succumbed on Feb 1 after battling for life in SKIMS for a week.
In the month of December also many civilians were killed in different incidents of firing by security forces.
A woman identified as Rubeena Jan was killed allegedly in firing by security force during an encounter between security and millitants in Batmura village of Shopian district of South Kashmir on December 19.
On December 11 also, a woman was killed during a gunfight in Unsoo village of district Handwara in north Kashmir.