Two youths died after army allegedly fired at youths protesting against a molestation bid in Handwara area of frontier district of Kupwara on Tuesday. Two youths died after army allegedly fired at youths protesting against a molestation bid in Handwara area of frontier district of Kupwara on Tuesday.

Two youths were killed and two others injured during a clash between security forces and civilians over the alleged molestation of a girl in north Kashmir’s Handwara town Tuesday.

According to villagers, at around 3.45 pm an Army personnel allegedly tried to molest a girl inside the washroom close to an Army bunker in the main market area of the town. As the news spread, people assembled near the spot and started protesting against the Army. To control the mob, Rashtriya Rifles and J&K Police personnel allegedly opened fire, which left four people injured. Later, two youths, identified as Kupwara’s Mohammad Iqbal (21) and Nayeem Qadir (23) of Handwara, succumbed to their injuries.

Handwara,J&K: 2 civilians killed in firing by security forces after protests over alleged molestation by Army jawanshttps://t.co/TQog0H681z — ANI (@ANI_news) April 12, 2016

“The girl was inside a washroom that is located close to a bunker when an Armyman tried to molest her. As the girl raised an alarm, it caught the attention of locals and students, who rushed inside the washroom and tried to catch hold of the Armyman. However, he took shelter inside the bunker,’’ said Tariq Ahmad, a local shopkeeper.

He added that security personnel opened fire after villagers hurled stones at the bunker, while demanding the Army personnel’s arrest. “The protesters attacked the Army’s border patrol vehicles and the police station…several protesters sustained injuries in the clashes,’’ he said.

The medical superintendent of district hospital, Handwara, Dr Rouf, said: “Both the bodies had several bullet injuries. One was brought dead and the other died at the hospital.’’

He added that while one youth had received a bullet in his head, “the other dead youth had bullets injuries on his face and body’’.

📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App.