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1st Ld Writethru: Government forces kill teenager in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Xinhua, April 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

A teenager was killed Saturday after India's paramilitary fired on protesters in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The killing took place at Narbal area in outskirts of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"A teenager Suhail Ahmad was brought dead to our hospital this morning," Dr Ajaz Mustafa, superintendent at SKIMS Bemina hospital told Xinhua. "He had bullet wound in the back side near renal area. "

Reports said a crowd of people took to streets in the locality to protest arrest of separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat on sedition charges. According to a police official the protesters hurled stones at India's paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), who retaliated by firing warning shots.

The Muslim majority areas of the region are observing shutdown on the call of Hurriyat (freedom) Conference leader Syed Ali Geelani to protest killing of youth in southern town of Tral earlier this week, arrest and detention of separatist leaders and what he described as biased coverage by the Indian media of events in the restive region.

On Friday police prevented a separatist rally in the town.

However, protests broke out in Srinagar and Tral after Friday afternoon congregational prayers. Protesters set ablaze Indian national flag during protests and 24 people including policemen were injured in the clashes.

Bhat was arrested on Friday from his home in Habbakadal area on charges of provoking people to hoist Pakistan's national flag during a rally on Wednesday.

Analysts in Srinagar said the killing is likely to fuel further protests in the restive region.

A separatist movement and guerrilla war challenging New Delhi's rule is going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989.

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.

New Delhi accuses Islamabad of sending armed militants to Indian-controlled Kashmir. However, Islamabad says it only provides moral and political support to Kashmiris. Endi