Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor on Friday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death of a man, who was claimed by the Army to be a terrorist, during an “encounter” on April 1 in the Arhama forest area of Ganderbal district.
The encounter resulted in the death of 28-year–old Raashid Ahmad Mughal, a resident of Chuntwaliwar Lar in Ganderbal.
On Wednesday morning, the Army said that one terrorist was killed during a joint operation with the J&K Police in the Arhama area of Ganderbal district. However, the family of the deceased contested the claim, stating that the deceased had no links to militancy. Hours later, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called for a “transparent and time-bound probe” into the incident.
J&K LG Manoj Sinha, who is in charge of security in the union Territory, on Friday said that he has ordered a thorough and impartial magisterial inquiry into the Arhama, Ganderbal incident.
“The inquiry will examine all aspects related to the incident and ensure that justice is served,” his office posted on X.
According to an order issued by the Home Department, District Magistrate Ganderbal has been directed to conduct a thorough and impartial probe into the incident that took place on April 1,
The order said that the inquiry would ascertain the facts and circumstances leading to the death.
Authorities have been asked to complete the probe within seven days and submit the report to the Home Department.
PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday alleged that the encounter in Ganderbal was being termed “fake”. National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi had also demanded a time-bound, independent probe into the allegations, calling them “gravely serious”.
