Army firing kills one in Jammu & Kashmir

A defence spokesman said one civilian died in the firing by army to disperse the protestors who alleged that the army jawans entered a mosque.

One person died when Army opened fire on Saturday to disperse a group of protestors demonstrating against alleged desecration of holy Quran by the security forces in a village mosque in Kupwara district.

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A defence spokesman said one civilian died in the firing by army to disperse the protestors who alleged that the army jawans entered a mosque in Zirhama village on Friday night, about 120 km from Srinagar, with their shoes on, misbehaved with the Imam and desecrated copies of holy Quran.

He said that a group of people were charging towards the army camp at Zirhama with stones and the army commander had to order firing in the air.

The spokesman, however, denied the allegations against the army as 'absolute rumours' and said a thorough inquiry will be conducted into the incident.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara and Senior Superintendent of Police rushed to the spot where the situation remained tense, official sources said.