Srinagar, July 22
Rashtriya Rifles troops allegedly shot dead a teenaged boy today mistaking him for a militant. The killing sparked off violent protests by villagers in Pulwama district who demanded a probe into the incident, official sources said.

The boy identified as Parvez Ahmad Dar was allegedly fired upon by troops when he was watering his garden at Check-Kangan in Pulwama this morning.

The troops had moved to the village following information about the presence of militants, they said, adding that the jawans mistook Dar for a militant and targeted him.

The killing of the boy evoked widespread protest as the residents of his village took to streets and clashed with policemen, who were rushed to the area to maintain law and order, the sources said.

The situation in the village and adjoining areas was tense and the police had to use teargas shells and batons to restore order, the sources said. Additional policemen had been rushed to the area to quell the protests, which were still continuing when last reports were received, they added.

The protesters, including a large number of women, were demanding an impartial inquiry into the incident and punishment to the erring personnel, the sources said.

They said senior police and civil officials had rushed to the scene to monitor the situation.

The protesters accused the troops of committing cold-blooded murder, saying the personnel shot dead Dar without trying to know his identity. — PTI

Jammu, July 22
Various Sikh organisations in Jammu and Kashmir have supported the verdict of the Gurdwara Judicial Commission sacking Bibi Jagir Kaur from her post of chief of the SGPC and expelling her from the primary membership of the committee for a period of five years.

A resolution was adopted at an emergency meeting presided over by Mr S.S. Wazir, a former president of the Gurdwara Prabandhak board, here today endorsing the commission’s verdict.

The resolution said, “the corrupt practices adopted by Bibi Jagir Kaur had brought a bad name to the august body of the Sikhs.”

It demanded a CBI probe into the entire episode so that other “malpractices” committed by the Bibi were brought to the light.” The misappropriation of funds to the tune of Rs.2.50 crore be recovered from the former SGPC chief along with 9 per cent interest, which could be deposited in the committee funds for the welfare of the community,” it said.

Others who participated in the meeting included Mr Mohinder Singh, chief organiser, Bhai Kanahiya Nishkam Sewa Society, Mr Narbir Singh, president, Shiromani Youth Akali Dal, Mr Amar Singh, president, Sikh Welfare Society, Mr Jagdev Singh, president, State Akali Dal, and Mr Paramjit Singh, president, AISSF.

The Sikh leaders said for the first time in the history of the Panth the SGPC chief had resorted to corrupt practices and it was for the first time that the commission had taken “a quick and right step in expelling Bibi Jagir kaur from the membership of the organisation.

These leaders requested the SGPC high command to install an honest and educated leader as the president.

Srinagar, July 22
Four militant groups today warned the migrant Kashmiri Pandits against returning to the Kashmir valley even as separatist Hurriyat Conference had launched its efforts for their return after a gap of over 16 years.

The Kashmir Samiti, one of the major organisations of the Pandits, yesterday rejected the APHC stand on their return.

Nearly 50 representatives of various groups of the community had a meeting with the Mirwaiz-led APHC here on Tuesday.

A spokesman for the four organisations in a faxed statement to some local media agencies “re-imposed the ban” on the return of the Pandits for their “dubious role” by deserting the majority community at a crucial time.

The spokesman, Samiullah, stated that the Pandits left the valley at the instance of the then Governor “by not only supporting his evil designs but extending their support”.

He also reacted to the role of the Hurriyat Conference in the ongoing “freedom struggle”.

The four organisations, the Al-Nasireen, the Farzandan-e-Millat, the Save Kashmir Movement and the Al-Arifeen, for the first time surfaced with the warning against those boarding the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus on April 7.

Srinagar, July 22
Two Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants were among seven persons killed while the security forces seized RDX and arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir overnight.

An official spokesman said militants kidnapped village defence committee (VDC) member Abdul Gani and his brother Mohammad Shafi at Ind Gool and later shot them dead at Naria.

Another VDC member Munshi Ram was shot dead by militants at Budhal in Rajouri district of Jammu region last night.

A Defence Ministry spokesman said troops acting on specific information, cordoned off Kharpora village at Kokernag in Anantnag district late last night to nab militants.

However, when the troops were about to storm a particular house, they came under heavy fire from the militants.

The troops retaliated and in the fierce encounter two HM militants were killed. Two AK rifles, four magazines, 80 rounds of ammunition and one wireless set were seized from the militants.

The security forces shot dead another militant during a search operation at Kalnar Khor. One AK rifle and four magazines were seized from the slain militant.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police today seized 13 kg of RDX, two detonators and four genetic sticks at Dera Top Chanani while one AK rifle, one boynet, three AK magazines, one revolver with magazine, one sealed box of AK ammunition and 40 pistol rounds were seized at Trehgam in Kupwara district . However, no one was arrested in both the operations. — UNI

Jammu, July 22
Landslides triggered by overnight rain blocked the national highway to Srinagar, closing it to traffic today, leading to suspension of the Amarnath yatra.

Landslides at three places between Ramsu and Ramban have hampered movement of vehicles on the arterial road, official sources said, adding that it was still raining along several stretches of the road.

The Border Roads Organisation has been pressed into service to clear the highway, the only surface link between the Kashmir valley and the country, they said. — PTI