SRINAGAR: Teargas shells were fired to break a protest that turned violent and stones were thrown at security forces in the Shia-dominated Magam area of Budgam district adjacent to Srinagar on Tuesday.
The protest broke out after residents alleged that a soldier from a patrol misbehaved with locals at Mabuchan village of Magam and set on fire a picture of Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian general killed in a US drone strike at Baghdad airport in 2020. Gen. Soleimani became a revered Shia icon after death.
The protesters calmed down after police said the army had “tendered an apology” for the soldier’s action. Senior officers went to the area to pacify the crowd. The officers assured the people that an investigation will be conducted and action taken, if required.
The protest broke out after residents alleged that a soldier from a patrol misbehaved with locals at Mabuchan village of Magam and set on fire a picture of Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian general killed in a US drone strike at Baghdad airport in 2020. Gen. Soleimani became a revered Shia icon after death.
The protesters calmed down after police said the army had “tendered an apology” for the soldier’s action. Senior officers went to the area to pacify the crowd. The officers assured the people that an investigation will be conducted and action taken, if required.
