Thousands Protest on the Streets of Kashmir After Indian Army Kills Four Civilians

Six people were killed, including four civilians, during an alleged encounter between militants and the Indian army in the Pohan area of Shopian, a district in Indian-administrated Kashmir.

Officials said during the night of March 4, 2018, people they identified as militants attacked a mobile check post of the Indian army outside Shopian military base, which led soldiers to retaliate.

Read more: The Kashmiri People Versus the Indian State

The killings of the four civilians have led to spontaneous anti-India protests and business shutdowns throughout the Kashmir Valley, which has been in the grip of violence since a revolt broke out against Indian rule in early 1990s. In response, authorities cut cellphone data services in the most restive towns, and reduced connection speeds in other parts of the valley to prevent more demonstrations. Schools were ordered closed and rail services were suspended.

An army spokesperson initially reported that the check post was attacked from inside of a car and the soldiers returned fire. Inside the car, a “terrorist” and “three overground workers,” a term that Indian security forces use for people who give support to Kashmiri rebels, “were found to be dead.” The three civilians were identified as Suhail Khalil Wagay, Mohd Shahid Khan, and Shahnawaz Ahmad Wagay.

The army's insistence that Suhail Khalil Wagay, Mohd Shahid Khan and Shahnawaz Ahmad Wagay were aiding militants was quickly contested by locals, who told independent news site Scroll.in that the young men had no links to any militant group and were killed in cold blood.