Army regrets killing of 65-year-old in Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 17: Massive protests erupted at Tarigam village in Dooru Shahabad area of Anantnag district in south Kashmir after a 65-year-old man was allegedly killed by troops during a search and cordon operation early today even as the Army regretted the incident as a case of ''mistaken identity'' and ordered a court of inquiry.

The villagers alleged that 65-year-old Sonaullah Magray had come out of his house to offer Fajr (morning) prayers when he was shot dead by 59 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) troops who had laid an ambush in the area on the intervening night of December 16-17.

On hearing about the incident, the villagers gathered at the spot and protested against the killing.

The angry protestors alleged that Magray was killed in ''cold blood'' and refused to bury his body till the officials of the Army, the civil administration and the police reach the village and take action against the guilty personnel.

Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag G A Peer immediately rushed to the spot and assured the agitated protestors that strict action would be taken against the errant Army personnel.

He said adequate ex-gratia relief would be given to the relatives of the deceased who was a village numberdar (head).

On the Deputy Commissioner's assurances, the villagers agreed to give burial to Magray.

Police said the 65-year-old man was gunned down early this morning when he came in an ambush laid by troops of 59 RR in the village.

Giving details about the incident, a defence spokesperson said troops, on a specific information that militants were hiding in the area, conducted a search and cordon operation in Tarigam village, east of Qazigund, during the intervening night of December 16-17. ''At about 0630 hrs today, an ambush party noticed a man approaching them. When he came closer to the ambush site, troops challenged him several times, but he did not respond.

''As he came further closer, a warning shot was fired to which he again did not respond. Instead, he bent down leading the personnel to believe that he was taking out a weapon from inside his pheron (a long woollen coat). The troops were still in doubt and fired two single shots. One of these hit the person on the leg and the other in his stomach. The man died due to the bullet injuries,'' the spokesperson said.

The complete incident was due to a case of ''mistaken identity'', he added. However, the spokesperson said the Army personnel had shown great degree of restrain in challenging the man and even fired a warning shot.

''The Army regrets the incident and a Court of Inquiry has been constituted to investigate the matter,'' he said.

Earlier a week ago on December 10, widespread protests had broken out in Qazigund area of Anantnag district when a soldier allegedly opened fire on a youth following an argument over the checking of his identity card.

A case had been registered against the Army in the Qazigund police station and the service weapon of the soldier seized.

The Army is conducting investigations into that incident also and had assured that necessary disciplinary action would be taken against the personnel, if found guilty.

UNI

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