DNA tests in Kashmir fake encounter case positive, challan soon

Srinagar, Feb 22 (UNI) The DNA tests today confirmed that the body exhumed at Ganderbal on February 1 was that of carpenter Abdul Rehman Paddar, who was killed by the Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police in a fake encounter last year.

''Yes we have received the DNA tests which confirmed that it was the dead body of carpenter Paddar,'' said Deputy Inspector General (DIG) police Farooq Ahmad Khan, who is investigating the case.

Paddar was killed by the SOG in a fake encounter at Ganderbal and buried there after labelling him a Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) militant.

He said it was now a matter of days to file a challan in the court of law.

Mr Khan said all proofs against the accused police officials have been collected and once the documentation was completed, the challan would be produced, he added.

About the DNA test of four more bodies exhumed recently, he said they were expecting them soon.

Police have arrested seven police officials, including Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Hans Raj Parihar and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP-Operations) Ganderbal Bahadur Ram ASI Gudoo and selection grade constable (driver) Farooq Ahmed Padder Bani Lal, Zaheer Khan and Manzoor Ahmad in connection with the fake encounter killings.

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