The Border Security Force (BSF) admitted on Wednesday that one of its constables was prima facie involved in the killing of 17-year-old Zahid Farooq. His death had triggered strong protests in the Kashmir valley.
Constable Lakhwinder of 68 battallion has been arrested, suspended, and handed over to the Jammu and Kashmir police. He will be tried under section 302 of RPC for murder. “An enquiry has revealed the possibility of the involvement of constable Lakhwinder,” PPS Sidhu, special director general of the BSF, said.
Farooq was returning home with a group of youngsters after a game of cricket on February 5.
The group was walking on the road when a BSF convoy passed by them. When some of the boys jeered at the security personnel, one of them got down from a vehicle and fired at Farooq. This was the second killing of a teenager in a week. On January 31, Wamik Farooq was killed by a tear gas shell fired by a policeman. The government suspended the policeman.
Minutes after BSF’s admission, CM Omar Abdullah said, “We will ensure there is a watertight case against this individual so that he gets the strongest punishment.”
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