Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Demands Transparent Probe Into Alleged Fake Encounter
SRINAGAR: Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called for a "transparent and time-bound probe" into an alleged encounter in Ganderbal district after a family claimed their relative killed by security forces had no links to terrorism. The development has sparked significant political attention and raised questions about the operation's circumstances.
Family's Allegations Challenge Official Narrative
The controversy emerged when Ajaz Ahmad Mughal, brother of deceased Rashid Ahmad Mughal (28), filed a police complaint seeking an FIR and investigation. He asserted that his brother, killed during a joint Army and J&K Police operation in Arahama area of Ganderbal on March 31, was not involved in any terror activities.
Ajaz detailed that Rashid left home on March 31 morning and did not return. The following day, police informed him his brother had met with an accident and brought him to identify the body in Srinagar. "I told them he is my brother," Ajaz stated, noting bullet damage to his brother's skull. He was then asked to accompany the body to Kupwara in north Kashmir for burial.
Chief Minister's Strong Stance on Social Media
Omar Abdullah, who represents Ganderbal constituency, emphasized on platform X that the family's claims should not be dismissed. "At the very least, this encounter needs a transparent & time-bound probe with the facts made public," he wrote. "Any attempt to obfuscate or delay the announcement of a probe will only damage credibility & that is not in anyone's interest."
The Chief Minister's intervention comes amid growing concerns about the operation's transparency and the need for accountability in security matters.
Contradictory Accounts and Burial Procedures
According to Ajaz, police initially described the body as that of a "foreign terrorist," which he immediately contradicted. The burial in Kupwara follows a policy implemented since 2019 where bodies of local terrorists killed in encounters are not handed to families and are buried in distant locations like Kupwara and Uri to prevent mass gatherings.
Ajaz maintained that everyone in Chountwaliewar village and Ganderbal district knew his brother and could verify he was not involved in terrorism. Instead, he helped people obtain Aadhaar and domicile certificates and was "preparing for recruitment in the Army."
Official Silence and Political Reactions
Police have not issued any official statement regarding the operation. A Srinagar-based defence PRO declined to comment on the family's allegations, stating that police would check the slain person's background and details would emerge in a few days.
The allegations have drawn sharp reactions from political figures. Srinagar-Ganderbal MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi described them as grave, asserting that "silence from J&K Police is unacceptable." Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti alleged it was a fake encounter, telling media that Rashid was "an orphan and was running an NGO."
Broader Implications and Call for Investigation
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in Jammu & Kashmir regarding encounter procedures and accountability. Omar Abdullah's demand for a probe underscores the importance of maintaining public trust in security operations. As investigations potentially unfold, the case may set precedents for how similar allegations are handled in the future, balancing security needs with transparency and justice.
The Army's initial statement on Wednesday morning reported one terrorist eliminated during the joint operation, but the family's persistent claims have created a significant discrepancy that authorities must now address through proper channels.
