Security forces shot dead a man, believed to be mentally unstable, near the Air Force station in Budgam district of central Kashmir when he allegedly tried to enter the high-security area, a police spokesman said today.

The elderly man who is yet to be identified allegedly crossed the security fence and came close to the station perimeter wall. A police statement said that despite repeated warnings from the sentry, he did not stop.

"The sentry fired some warning shots in the air, but the individual did not stop. The sentry (then) fired towards him," the statement said.

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The station authorities then informed the nearby Humhama police post and police officials rushed to the scene.

Spot examination has revealed that the individual, somewhere between 50-55 years of age and appears to be mentally challenged, died in the incident. The unidentified person was not wearing footwear, was without winter clothing and had no identity proof.

Pertinently, there is no habitation near the place of incident.

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The police has taken the body into custody and is in the process of ascertaining the identity of the man.

"Help has been sought from nearby villages for identification of the individual," the statement said, adding that a case has been registered and a probe was on.

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