SRINAGAR: Indian forces shot dead a youth in occupied Kashmir on Monday during protests following an overnight gunbattle in which one suspected militant was killed and another was believed to have escaped.

The incident happened in the volatile town of Sopore, 45km southwest of Srinagar, during protests by residents at the end of the gunbattle which had started on Sunday evening, a police officer said.

“One civilian was killed and four were injured in the firing,” the officer said.

Residents said police arrested two young men from the area following the gunbattle on suspicion of having links with the militants.

This infuriated residents further and hundreds more joined the protest.

They clashed with police shouting, “We want freedom!” a witness said.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2014