Bullet-riddled body of youth found in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-19 19:18:43|Editor: liuxin
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SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, May 19 (Xinhua) -- A bullet-riddled body of a man was found in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Friday.

The body was found in a rivulet at village Gudoora of Pulwama, about 35 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Police blamed militants for the killing, a claim strongly contested by locals.

"A body was found at Gudoora this morning, which was later on identified as that of Mohammad Yousuf Lone. During the initial investigation it was revealed that the deceased was fired upon by militants during Thursday night," a police spokesman said.

Witnesses said Lone's body had multiple bullet marks.

According to locals, Lone was found several hours after gunshots were heard in the adjacent village, where according to them government forces had launched cordon and search operation to trace militants.

Residents alleged Lone was killed by government forces.

Local media quoted police officials saying the slain man was the over ground worker of militants.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people participated in the funeral procession of Lone on Friday, shouting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.

Reports said militants also appeared during the funeral and offered a gun salute to Lone.

Last week an Indian army officer was kidnapped and subsequently killed by militants in the region. The officer was at home on leave and had gone to attend wedding ceremony of his cousin.

Militants in the region usually target families and individuals for their possible links with Indian police and defense agencies. Even people having associations with pro-India political parties are targeted at times.

Militant groups opposing New Delhi's rule are engaged in a guerilla war with Indian troops in the region since 1989. Gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.

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