FNA- A woman died allegedly due to suffocation caused by intense teargas shelling by government forces in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, local reports said.

The development came as Indian–controlled Kashmir observed a complete shutdown for the second consecutive day to mourn the killing of eight civilians in action by forces on the polling day on Sunday, reports and witnesses said, Greater Kashmir reported.

Youth fought pitched battles with the forces at many places across Kashmir, they said.

A woman died due to suffocation allegedly caused by intense teargas shelling by government forces in Tahab village in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Tuesday.

Witnesses said Shameema Akther wife of Nazir Ahmed was busy at her home when she started coughing. “She complained of chest pain. And within minutes, she collapsed and fainted,” they said. “The area was witnessing massive clashes and forces were using teargas shells to disperse the protestors.”

Locals said the victim was immediately rushed to District Hospital where doctors declared her as brought dead.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, SSP Pulwama Rayees Bhat said: “We also came to know through locals about her death. But the cause of death is not known. Let the medical report come. Then only we would be able to say how she died.”

One of the family members of the deceased alleged that she felt suffocation due to a thick cover of smoke that enveloped her house. “We thought she has fainted, but she had died,” he said.

As the word about woman’s death spread, massive protests erupted at Tahab and other adjoining areas. Protesters accused the government forces of resorting to indiscriminate use of ‘Pava’ and teargas shells.

Locals also said that forces ransacked many residential houses and also broke the windowpanes.