19-year-old Hilal Ahmed Dar killed by Indian troops in Bandipora Kashmir

Srinagar, July 25, 2012: Indian troops killed a young 19-year-old boy Hilal Ahmed Dar S/o Ghulam Mohiuddin Dar of Aloosa Bandipore at Sahil Halmathpoa -Ashtengoo Naar area in Aloosa in Bandipora district, official sources said today. Protests broke out in Halmatpora Aloosa of Bandipora against the killing of Hilal Ahmad Dar son of Ghulam Mohidin Dar of Lahipora Ajas by the Indian troopers of 27-Rashtriya Rifles and 5-PARA personnel Tuesday evening. “An FIR (143/2012) under section 302 (murder) of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) has been registered in Bandipora police station against the Indian army personnel belonging to 27 RR and 5 PARA”, a senior police official said.

Hilal Ahmad Dar, believed to be in his late 19s, was killed in Indian army of 27-Rashtriya Rifles firing last night Tuesday at Ashtengoo Naar area of Bandipora district.

Residents said that the deceased was a civilian, a newspaper reported. Indian Army's 27 Rashtriya Rifles had laid an ambush in the area last night and they gunned down a person, sources said.

Carrying the body of a slain youth thousands of people walked in protest in the area Wednesday. Shouting anti-India slogans, more than 4,000 protestors carrying youth's body marched from Aloosa villagetowards Bandipora town.

According to villagers and the youth's family, Hilal had left the village mosque after the Ramzan 'Tarawi' evening prayers Tuesday when he was shot by Indian army forces. He worked for a cement factory in Srinagar city. "He was working in a cement factory in Srinagar and had come home six days back. He was not involved in militancy at all," Hilal's father Ghulam Mohiuddin Dar said.

Residents of Aloosa and Ashtangoo said that they heard heavy firing in the Sahil Halmathpoa last night. “We came to know in the morning that a civilian Hilal Ahmed Dar S/o Ghulam Mohiuddin Dar of Aloosa was killed in the firing,” they added. Police Officer said that they have recovered an identity card from the pocket of the deceased named as Hilal Ahmed Dar son of Ghulam Mohiuddin Dar of Aloosa.

Locals protested on Wednesday the killing of a youth by Indian army said the troops of killing Hilal Ahmed Dar, 20, in cold blood on Tuesday night at Ashtengoo-Naar area of Bandipora district.

Thousand of youths held a protest march on Bandipora roads carrying Hilal Ahmed Dar's body on their shoulders and chanting pro-liberation and anti-India slogans.

Soon after the news spread about the killing, thousand of people took to streets and protested against what they call a murder in cold blood. As the mourners and protesters staged sit-in and refused to bury the body.

The protesters said that Dar was shot dead in cold blood and without any provocation. The body was taken in a procession from Aloosa towards Bandipora town but the protesters were intercepted by Indian police near Quil village, the sources said.

Local residents said that police took away the body to prevent mass agitation against the killing.

Angry relatives and friends of Dar clashed with the India policemen when the men in uniform fired teargas shelling and baton charge. More than dozen or 20 youths were reported to be injured in police actions.

Family and neighbours of Dar said that he was taken away by the Indian army personnel after he had offered late evening prayers (tarawih) as mosques remain abuzz till late night owing to Ramadhan in the valley. Dar worked in a cement factory in Srinagar and had returned home owing to Ramadhan few days ago.

"He was a very pious man and a member of Tablighi Jamaat (a non-political Islamic group preaching social aspects of Islam and life). He had a flowing beard and that is why Indian army personnel took him away and killed him for rewards," said a close friend and neighbour of Dar.

"He was even tortured before killing. He had torture marks all over his body," he said. A son of a mason, Dar has four sisters and two brothers.

Police officials claimed they believed it to be a case of mistaken identity. However, the villagers in the district said that unprovoked firing from the Indian Army killed the young man. "He was caught and then shot from point blank. There are torture marks on his body also,'' said Abdul Rashid, a villager.

Angry residents were not ready to listen any claim from Indian army, Indian establishment or regime led by Omar Abdullah. "We know what happens after government of India and its establishment run by Omar Abdullah and Indian army sets up these enquiries. Who was punished for killing innocents in Machil fake encounter? What happened to the rape and murder case of Shopian women," said a resident of Bandipora, Fayaz Ahmad.

The protesters blocked Sopore-Bandipora road and didn’t allow traffic to pass. They are demanding stern action should be taken against the culprits.

“Every now and then, innocent youth are being killed by army. These troopers must be made accountable. They do what they like as the government of India has given them a free hand”, Ghulam Mohiuddin Dar, father of victim said. . “We know what happens after government sets up these enquiries. Who was punished for killing innocents in Machil fake encounter? What happened to the rape and murder case of Shopian women,” said a local resident of Bandipora.

“An FIR (143/2012) under section 302 (murder) of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) has been registered in Bandipora police station against the Indian army personnel belonging to 27 RR and 5 PARA”, a senior police official said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident. Additional Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora, Tariq Ahmad Zargar has been appointed as the inquiry officer to probe into the incident.

District Magistrate Bandipora, Manzoor Ahmed Lone told reporters that he will look into the matter and an inquiry will be conducted. “I am trapped in a gathering and I can’t say right now what is to be done. Let the demonstrations be over. We will look into the matter”, he claimed.

This is the second such incident in Bandipora in one week. A 25 year old shephered was injured three days ago in a similar Indian army operation in the district.

Meanwhile, Kashmiri Hurriyet and political organizations have condemned the innocent killing of the youth at Bandipora and termed it as state terrorism and part of genocide policy. They said that the Indian Army of killing the youth in custody and trying to cover it up by describing Dar as a militant.

Kashmir High Court Bar Association said that the youth was arrested by the Indian Army a day earlier and later killed.

On Sunday, 22 July night, a 25-year-old shepherd was shot at and critically injured in a similar Indian army operation at Malangam in Bandipora district. One civilian identified as Muhammad Anwar Tas, 32, son of Naik Ali of Malangam was injured at Lashkoot forest of Malangam in Bandipora, when Indian Army personnel of 9 Para opened fire on him .The residents of Malangam, Bandipora said Mohammad Anwar had gone to see his cattle in the forests. “However, he returned after being chased by the wild animals. He changed the track to come down. He used another track through Lashkoot,” they said. The incident occurred during military operation in Lashkoot forest of Malangam, Locals said adding that Anwar was chasing a bear, and while returning to the village changed his track and was caught in the ambush by Indian troops.

More than 124 civilians including youth boys and females have been killed in mass and anti-India uprisings in 2010 that began after a 17-year-old student was killed by police in Srinagar on June 11, 2010.

Even the latest example of Boniyar Baramulla killing in which CISF personnel have been indicted for a youth’s killing, has exposed the functioning and weakness of the authority. We have many examples wherein the Indian police and paramilitary personnel are involved in innocent civilian killings of 2010 but not a single person has been booked and brought to justice sofar.

The continued killing of innocent boy in peaceful month of Ramadhan, has created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity throughout the Valley and people fear to tread out of their homes to offer Ramdhan prayers in mosques.

Meanwhile, Indian army’s 50-Rashtriya Rifles stormed the industrial town of Khrew in Pulwama Tuesday July 25 morning, sparking protests and shutdown in the area, residents and eyewitnesses said. Shopkeepers, who had downed the shutters, said Indian troopers of 50-Rashtriya Rifles, wielding guns and long sticks, usually march in the town in Tuesday morning started roughing up people who were readying to move for their respective workplaces.

“A major was leading the army patrol. He was abusing and hitting the pedestrian with stick,” said a local shopkeeper. A trucker Zubair Ahmad Wani showed his swollen neck to suggest the harshness of the raid. “The soldiers brandished the sticks indiscriminately. I thought I am gone but later realized I had received the bamboo on my neck,” Wani said adding that the truck drivers now fear to venture out in early morning or late evening hours.

The sudden ‘raid’ by Indian army panicked the residents and several men, women and children proceeded toward the bus stand and shouted slogans against the atrocities.

The residents said Indian army had been harassing the inhabitants of the area ever since the militant attack on army convoy on July 7 that killed a soldier. “We are facing tough time. The Indian army keeps coming to our localities. The other day there was a surprise crackdown. If they suspect that the attackers are here they should announce and inform people and seek their help. But they treat us as their enemies,” said a visibly agitated teacher from the area.

SDPO Awantipora, Feroz Qadri while assuring end to the atrocities said an FIR had been lodged against the erring Indian army men.

Civilian killed in Bandipora
Protest in north Kashmir after troops kill youth
Locals protest killing of youth by army in north Kashmir town
Protests in Kashmir over youth's killing

While separatists vehemently condemned the killing, north Kashmir remained tense throughout the day over the incident.