Army says it ‘deeply regrets’ death of Kashmiri protesters in firing

Two people were killed on Monday evening in retaliatory firing after protesters threw stones at an Army patrol.

The army on Tuesday expressed regret for the deaths of two people in firing by its soldiers in south Kashmir, accusing a mob of violence.

A Kashmiri protester throws a stone at a police vehicle during a protest in Srinagar. (AP)

“The army deeply regrets, the unfortunate loss of life in the incident at Churat, Qaziund, where the troops were forced to open fire yesterday, when a large mob turned violent resorting to heavy stone pelting and attempted to snatch weapons from the soldiers,” said an army statement.

Two people were killed on Monday evening in retaliatory firing after protesters threw stones at an army patrol. The killings take the death toll in ongoing protests to 44 even as curfew continued across the Valley.

The army appealed to the people “to maintain peace and refrain from attacking security forces or their vehicles or establishments thus creating situations where the security forces are left with no option but to retaliate in self defence”.

“The army also pledges to provide all possible assistance to the bereaved families and to the persons injured in the unfortunate incident. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident,” the statement said.

Protests erupted in Kashmir over the killing of Burhan Wani, a 22-year-old militant of the Hizbul Mujahideen militant group on July 9.