By Shazia Yousuf
SRINAGAR, Indian-held Kashmir
A 17-year-old boy was killed and two others injured Saturday morning when Indian paramilitary forces opened fire on protesters in Narbal area of Budgam district in Indian-held Kashmir.
Since the death of Suhail Ahmad Sofi, a high school student, clashes between protesters and Indian Armed forces have intensified in the area.
A police officer told AA that personnel of the 54 Alpha Company of the Indian paramilitary force CRPF had allegedly opened fire on the unarmed civilians who were protesting against the killing of civilians in Tral Monday and the arrest of Kashmiri resistance leader Masarat Alam Friday.
Protests were seen at more than a dozen places, including Khanyar and Nowhatta.
Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani gave a shutdown strike call to protest again the re-arrest of Alam.
Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan region, is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed by both in full.
The two countries have fought three wars – in 1948, 1965 and 1971 – since they were partitioned in 1947, two of which were fought over Kashmir.
Since 1989, Kashmiri resistance groups in Indian-held Kashmir have been fighting against Indian rule for independence, or for unification with neighboring Pakistan.
More than 70,000 people have reportedly been killed in the conflict so far and Indian maintains an army of over half a million troops in the region.
