The BSF on Sunday admitted the youth killed here had died when its troopers opened fire in the air in self-defence during a weapon snatching incident.

Border Security Force (BSF) sources told IANS here that the youth killed in firing in Batmaloo area of Saturday had died during "aerial firing" by its troopers.

"We are ready to cooperate with the police investigation in this incident," said a source.

The source said there was heavy stone pelting in S.D.Colony (Batmaloo) area and protesters had tried to snatch the service rifle of one of their troopers leading to them firing in the air in a bid to deter them.

"An internal inquiry into the allegations of firing, which led to the death of Sajad Hassan, has prima facie revealed that our men fired at Batm aloo leading to the unfortunate death of the youth.

"The intention of our jawans was not to kill anyone, but they fired in a bid to prevent snatching of rifle as attempted by the youth," the BSF source added.

Police said that an FIR has already been registered in this incident and the BSF has been approached to hand over the accused troopers.

A protest shutdown called by the separatists against the killing of the youth adversely affected life across the Valley on Sunday.