Two killed in Kashmir shootout

Two persons were killed and one critically injured in a shootout at Bomai near Sopore in north Kashmir's Barahmulla district on Saturday.

Witnesses claimed that troops of Rashtriya Rifles allegedly opened fire on a group of devotees who were returning after attending a local festival at the shrine of a Sufi saint in Tujjar.

When queried about the incident, Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Masood Samoon told rediff.com, "We are ascertaining the details of the incident. Senior political officers have rushed to the spot."

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has taken a serious note of the firing incident and ordered a magisterial enquiry.

Abdullah, who is currently on a three-day tour of the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, expressed shock at the incident.

"He immediately got in touch with senior officers to ascertain the details of the incident," an official statement said, adding that exemplary punishment will be given to those found guilty.

Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda has issued instructions for the registration of an FIR in the incident.