Army Probing
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A day after the December 21 terror attack, three civilians, aged between 27 and 42, were found dead after they were allegedly picked up by the Army for questioning, sparking outrage. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army chief Pande had visited Poonch in the wake of these incidents.
“The home minister has been briefed about the prevailing security situation in Jammu and Kashmir,” an official said.
Earlier, UT administration had announced compensation and jobs to the families of the dead civilians and said legal action on the matter has been initiated.
Sporadic violence continued in Jammu and Kashmir since the beginning of 2023.
Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a series of encounters last year that left 54 persons, including 28 terrorists and 19 security personnel, dead, officials said.
The officials have ascribed the uptick in violence to “desperate attempts from across the border” to revive terrorism in the region.
While 31 persons, including 10 terrorists and 14 security personnel, were killed in Rajouri, 15 terrorists and five security personnel were killed in Poonch district. Three terrorists were killed in the Reasi district.
Most of the terrorists were killed while attempting to sneak into this side of the border, the officials said.
In May last year, five Army personnel were killed and a major-rank officer was injured in Chamrer forest during an anti-terrorist operation. A foreign terrorist was also killed in the operation. (With PTI inputs) their families.
“The Army is conducting its own investigation. If anyone is found to be guilty, they will definitely be punished. But such an investigation is not to be disclosed publicly. Let the Army do its work. There is no need to prejudge anything or make any comment on the Army,” the official said.
The official said the Army itself said that it would conduct the investigation and hence everyone should have faith in it.
On December 27, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he had full faith in the Indian Army that it will wipe out terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir, even as he urged the troops to not make such “mistakes” that may hurt the citizens of the country.
It is the responsibility of the troops to win the hearts of the people while performing their duty towards the security of the nation, Singh had said.
Soon after the three civilians were found dead and a few others were injured, video clips purportedly showing their torture went viral on social media.
The Army has initiated a Court of Inquiry and police lodged a murder case against unidentified persons.
“...after terror incident at DKG (Dhera Ki Gali) on December 21, Army troops carried out searches in Topa Peer in Buffliaz for the terrorists who escaped after the attack. During searches, Army troops detained a few local youths for questioning, reportedly three such youths namely Safeer Ahmad, Mohd Showkat and Shabir Ahmad succumbed to injuries.
“As such, cognizable offence under section 302 IPC is made out. On this information instant case stands registered. As the instant case is of special nature...special report will be submitted separately as investigation is taken up,” an official said quoting the FIR.
A brigadier-level officer was shifted and action was being taken against three officers of 48 Rashtriya Rifles as the Army took serious note of the allegation of custodial torture.
The counter-insurgency unit of the Army was in the news for wrong reasons in October last year as well when one of its major-rank officers opened fire on his colleagues and exploded grenades inside the Neeli post camp near Thanamandi, leaving five personnel including three officers injured.