SRINAGAR, Aug 17: A photojournalist was injured while covering clashes between police and protesters after Friday prayers outside Jamia Masjid or the central mosque in downtown Srinagar.
Syed Shahriyar, 19, who works for a local daily Kashmir Observer, was injured in the leg while taking photographs as youth pelted the police with stones and they fired teargas shells and used slingshots in retaliation.
“I was capturing the pictures and suddenly forces started firing teargas canisters directly on the protestors, Smoke engulfed thee area. In the meantime I received a sling shot on my leg and I fell down, helpless,” he said.
“Then I was hit by a stone which wounded me in the leg,” he added.
His colleagues helped him towards the hospital where he received medical help.
Separatists had called for protests to mark the Quds Day or the Yaum ul Quds to protest against the occupation of Palestine by Israel.
Last year three photojournalists were injured during clashes between police or paramilitaries and stone-pelting youth in the downtown area of Srinagar, which is considered a hub of separatist sentiment in the valley.
