The Maruti car had skidded and hit an electric pole when it was fired at by soldiers at the Chattergam area of Budgam on Monday.
The army says its troops have violated rules of engagement by opening fire on a Maruti car that failed to stop on Monday, and killing two of its five occupants, including a 14-year-old boy.
The Maruti car had skidded and hit an electric pole when it was fired at by soldiers at the Chattergam area of Budgam, a state administration report has said. Both the civilians killed were teenagers.
The army's Rashtriya Rifles unit posted there claimed that they acted on intelligence inputs about militant movement and fired when the vehicle didn't stop despite being signaled.
The unit has now been replaced. The army has promised action and a fast inquiry into the incident that has provoked massive outrage and three days of protests in the Kashmir Valley.
"Fairness and justice will be ensured. Any violation of standard operating procedures will be dealt with severely," said Lieutenant General Subrata Saha, Corps Commander.
Clashes broke out between locals and security personnel in Nowgam area over the firing on Tuesday and yesterday, a strike call by separatists paralysed the Valley as shops and business establishments remained closed.
The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Union Defence Ministry and the state administration on the incident that comes as Jammu and Kashmir prepares for polls from November 25 to December 20.
"The recent deaths have served to vitiate the poll atmosphere already strained by the post flood reconstruction challenge that people face (sic)," Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted.