SRINAGAR (AFP): Five youths were martyred in Kulgam district on Sunday as Indian forces continue their state-sanctioned brutalities in occupied Kashmir.
According to a Kashmir Media Service report, Indian soldiers martyred the five youths during a cordon-and-search operation in the district’s Kellam area.
The report states that the operation was jointly carried out by personnel of the Indian army’s 9 Rashtriya Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force and the police’s Special Operation Group.
The occupying forces also destroyed a house in the operation.
The latest act of state-sanctioned brutality drew a strong reaction with hundreds of Kashmiris taking to the streets of Kellam in protest.
The Indian army’s use of excessive force left dozens of protesters injured, with most injuries caused by pellet guns.
As tensions prevailed, cellular and Internet services were suspended in the district.
On India’s Republic Day on January 26, the occupying forces martyred two Kashmiris in Srinagar’s Khonmoh area.
Days earlier, on January 21, Indian troops martyred three Kashmiri youths during a cordon-and-search operation at Hapat Naalah in Charar-e-Sharif area of Badgam district.
As per data collected by the Kashmir Media Service, at least 375 Kashmiris – including at least 35 minors and 10 women – were martyred by the Indian army in occupied Kashmir last year.
