The army has been accused of branding as militants three youths and killing them in a staged gun-battle on the Line of Control in Machil sector of Kupwara district.
An army Major has come under the Jammu and Kashmir Police scanner for his alleged role in the fake encounter that took place on April 30. Police have registered a murder case against him under section 302 of the RPC.
The army has been accused of branding as militants three youths and killing them in a staged gun-battle on the Line of Control in Machil sector of Kupwara district. Their bodies have been identified by their families.
Shahzad Ahmad Khan, Mohammad Shafi Lone and Riyaz Ahmad Lone of Nadihal Rafiabad, Sopore, had gone missing on April 27 prompting their families to lodge missing reports with the police.
After preliminary investigations, the police converted the report into a kidnapping case and zeroed in on two people including a surrendered militant-turned-special police officer Bashir Ahmad and his accomplice Fayaz Ahmad. On Friday, police arrested their third accomplice who is working in Territorial Army.
“We have arrested the third accused today [on Friday]. Investigations are on and it will be premature to say anything more,” said Altaf Ahmad Khan, SP Sopore.
Police are investigating the role of the three arrested men in the kidnapping of the youths and handing them over to the army,
which allegedly killed them in a staged encounter. Bodies of the three youth were later buried in Kalaroos graveyard as unidentified militants.
The issue has snowballed into a major controversy. Chief minister Omar Abdullah met general officer commanding 15 Corps Lt Gen NC Marwah, expressing concerns over the Machil incident. Marwah assured the CM that the army would cooperate fully with all investigating agencies.
An army spokesman said the army is concerned about the seriousness of the allegations. “As and when a formal report is received from the police authority, a fast track enquiry will be instituted to ascertain the facts. In case any wrongdoing comes to light, expeditious action to bring guilty to book will be taken,” he said.
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