Srinagar: Two separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir—one in Baramulla and the other in Kathua—have sparked controversy, with political leaders demanding investigations into the circumstances of the civilian deaths.
In north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, a civilian was shot dead by the Army after allegedly failing to stop at a security checkpoint in Sopore. Meanwhile, in Jammu’s Kathua district, another civilian was found dead under mysterious circumstances following alleged torture in police custody.
Officials identified the Sopore victim as Waseem Ahmad Mir, son of Abdul Majeed Mir, a resident of Goripora Bomai.
According to an Army statement, a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) was set up on February 5 based on intelligence inputs regarding militant movement in the area. The Army said a suspicious civilian truck, moving at high speed, failed to stop despite repeated warnings and instead accelerated past the checkpoint.
“Alert troops pursued the vehicle for over 23 km and fired shots aimed at the tyres to stop it. The truck eventually halted at Sangrama Chowk. Upon a detailed search, the injured driver was evacuated to Government Medical College, Baramulla, where he was declared dead,” the Army stated.
The Army confirmed that the fully loaded truck had been moved to a nearby police station for further examination, while investigations into the background of the deceased were ongoing.
Jammu and Kashmir Police registered an FIR at Baramulla Police Station, stating that a thorough search of the vehicle was underway and that post-mortem proceedings had been initiated to determine the cause of death. The police also urged the public to maintain peace and refrain from spreading rumors or misinformation.
However, the Army’s account of the shooting has come under scrutiny. Iltija Mufti, daughter of former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, questioned the official version of events.
“How strange that after chasing the truck for over 23 km, they claim to have fired at the tyres but somehow misfired at him instead. Are Kashmiri lives so cheap? How long will you justify this unbridled impunity by pointing everyone with the needle of suspicion?” she wrote on X.
In another disturbing incident, a 25-year-old civilian, Makhan Din from Perody, Billawar, was found dead in Kathua after reportedly being tortured in police custody.
Locals alleged that Din had been detained on suspicion of links with militants and subjected to severe physical and mental abuse. They claimed he had even recorded a video inside a mosque, swearing that he had no knowledge of militant activity in the area.
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, in a post on X, alleged that Din was falsely accused of being an Over Ground Worker (OGW) and tortured into making a forced confession.
“He was reportedly subjected to brutal thrashing and torture, forced into a confession, and tragically found dead today. The area has been sealed off, and internet services have been cut, leading to widespread panic. There’s an ongoing crackdown, with more individuals being picked up. This incident appears to follow a troubling pattern of targeting innocent youths on fabricated charges. I urge the Director General of Police to initiate an immediate investigation,” Mufti wrote.
Clarifying that there is no crackdown in the Billawar town of Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday said the suspected Over Ground Worker (OGW) called for questioning did not die due to custodial torture but committed suicide at his residence.
Police refuted the allegations levelled by the former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in her post on X claiming that Makhan Din, aged 25 from Perody, Billawar, was detained by the SHO of Billawar on false charges of being an Over Ground Worker (OGW ).
In this regard, the cognizance has been taken by and DC Kathua Rakesh Manhas and a magisterial enquiry has been ordered.
Taking serious note of this incident senior officers have ordered a departmental inquiry which will be conducted by DIG Shiv Kumar.
The enquiry officer has been directed to submit his report at the earliest to higher ups. The public is requested to pay no heed to the rumors and co-operate with the Police,” said the top cop.
Asserting that recent deaths in Kathua and Baramulla “risk alienating” local population, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Thursday that he has taken up these incidents with the Centre.
He insisted that both cases be investigated in a time-bound and transparent manner.
The chief minister also said, “I have reviewed reports of excessive use of force and alleged harassment of Makhan Din in police custody in Billawar, leading to his suicide, and the death of Waseem Ahmed Malla, shot by the army under circumstances that are not entirely clear.”
“Incidents like these risk alienating the very people whom we need to carry with us on the road to complete normalcy,” Chief Minister Abdullah said in a post on X.
Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra also condemned the killings as “very fortunate and a matter of grave concern.”
He said such incidents are detrimental to peace initiatives, attributing to fear psychosis in the society.
“Killing of Innocent persons is barbaric, inhuman and unacceptable in a civilized society. Government should look into the matter very seriously and ensure that no innocent life is lost,” he said in a written statement.
Karra urged the government to order a judicial probe into the incident.
The twin incidents have reignited concerns over alleged human rights violations in the region. With both cases under investigation, families of the deceased and political leaders are demanding transparency and accountability in the probe.
