A civilian was killed in Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) firing in South Kashmir’s Shopian on Sunday. While sources say that the civilian was killed after an argument with the force, police say that he was killed in a shootout after a terrorist attack.
On Sunday morning, civilian Shahid Ejaz was killed in firing by paramilitary forces near the CRPF camp at Babapora hamlet in south Kashmir’s Shopian. Sources say that Ejaz was a resident of Anantnag district who used to come to Shopian to collect apples. He says he was killed after an argument with paramilitary forces at a post set up by him near his camp.
However, the police say that he was killed in the crossfire when the terrorists opened fire on the CRPF party in the area. “Around 1030 am, unidentified terrorists attacked a Naka party of 178 Battalion CRPF at Babapora in Shopian. The CRPF retaliated and an unidentified person was killed during the cross firing. Further details are being ascertained,” Shopian police said in a tweet.
The murder took place during the three-day visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Jammu and Kashmir. Shah is currently in Jammu where he will address a public meeting and be the chief guest at a convocation. He is likely to return to Srinagar on Sunday evening.
This is the second civilian death in CRPF firing this month, while 11 civilians, mostly activists from outside states, were killed by suspected terrorists since October 1.
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