South Asia Human Rights Journalist Association

Srinagar, July 16: An Indian army truck hit and  killed seven civilians including a woman on Srinagar-Baramulla highway. At least six people were killed and two others were critically injured when an Indian army truck rammed in to a mini-passenger vehicle on the outskirts of Srinagar at HMT Zainakote in Noora Hospital on Wednesday.
“The vehicle was on way from Sopore to Srinagar,” eyewitness said.The injured have been shifted to Soura Institute of Medical Sciences. Doctors at the hospital told media men that the injured were admitted in a life threatening condition and were being operated upon..Soon after the accident, the locals stage massive anti-Indian and pro-freedom protests. The Indian troops fired gunshots and teargas shells to disperse the angry protesters. 
Sources said seven persons were injured critically after an army truck hit a cab ferrying passengers near Noora Hospital at HMT. All the injured were shifted to hospital where three persons were declared brought dead. “The vehicle was on way from Sopore to Srinagar,” they added.
Six people were killed and one critically injured when an Indian army truck rammed in to a mini-passenger vehicle. Sources said three among the four injured have died taking the toll to 6.
The injured were shifted to Soura Institute of Medical Sciences in Bemina. 
Sources in police said that the army truck driver has been arrested. 
Those killed have been identified as: 
1. Mohammed Rafiq Antoo  from Dugliteng, Baramulla
2. Ghulam Nabi Dar from Kranshoo Colony, Sopore
3. Ghulam Hassan Bhat  from Dangarpora in Varmul. He was the driver of the cab. 
4. Naseer Ahmad Mir from Mumkak, Sopore
5. Pir Mohammed Syed from Ashpir, Sopore
The identity of the sixth slain is being ascertained.
Soon after the accident, locals staged a massive anti-army protest and clashed with police.
Youth tried to set the army truck on fire, however, the army soldiers fired few shots in air to disperse the angry protesters, a news agency reported.  “The youth later hurled stones on forces and in the meantime police reached to the spot and fired teargas shells to disperse the youth,” reports said.
Two people who received minor injuries during the protest were shifted to Noora hospital in the vicinity.
A police statement issued here said: Three passengers have died and two injured have been hospitalized. 
“The vehicle has been seized and FIR has been registered in Police Station Parimpora and investigation into the matter has been taken up. Aftermath the accident there was some minor law and order situation which has been brought under control,” the police claimed.
Sources said that an electricity wire snapped during the accident and fell on the cab. “This may have led to death of people who were on the other side of the cab,” they added.
Sources confirmed that nine persons were injured critically after an army truck bearing registration number 01P013859W of 51 RR hit the cab (JK01P-1464) near a hospital.  
All the injured were shifted to hospital where three persons succumbed to injuries on way to hospital and four others passed away after being admitted, doctors told media men. Doctors operated upon other injured but four among them also passed away.  
Medical sources said Mohammed Rafiq Antoo from Dugliteng in Barammula, Ghulam Nabi Dar from Kranshoo Colony, Sopore, Ghulam Hassan Bhat, who was driving the cab, from Dangarpora in Sopore, Naseer Ahmad Mir of Mumkak, Sopore, Pir Mohammed Syed of Ashpir, Sopore, Mohammad Ramzan of Sopore and a woman Zareefa of Pattan died in the mishap. 
Zareefa’s husband, Ashiq Hussain and Sheikh Zaid of Naseem Bagh, Sopore have been operated upon and are in a critical condition in  Soura hospital. 
Soon after the accident, locals staged a massive anti-army protest and clashed with police. They said that the Indian army of rash driving.  
Sources said that the youth tried to set the truck on fire and thrashed the army driver, however, the army soldiers fired shots  and fired teargas shells  to disperse the angry protesters. 
Contingents of  Indian army immediately reached to the spot and rescued the driver Hawaldar Krishan Singh and the crane truck. Singh has been arrested.  
 Reports said two persons who received minor injuries during protests were admitted in Noora hospital for treatment.
 Meanwhile, when the news of mishap spread in the native places of the deceased, hundreds of people took to streets and staged anti-India demonstrations. 
Reports of stone pelting clashes were received from several places in Sopore town. Among the deceased four persons were from the apple town.