Army in Kashmir to probe fake encounter killings

Srinagar, Apr 13 (UNI) A defence ministry spokesman here said that Army authorities will extend all cooperation to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Jammu and Kashmir police investigating fake encounter killings in the Kashmir valley.

The spokesman said this after Chief Investigating Officer (CIO) informed Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) yesterday that the SIT was not getting cooperation from the Army authorities.

The CIO Javid Kaul said six to eleven army personnel, including a Colonel, a Major and other ranks, involved in the killing of one Hafiz Showkat in a fake encounter in October last year, could not be arrested because of non-cooperation from the Army.

The CJM has directed the CIO to give option to the Army authorities whether they wanted to initiate a court martial or the court will proceed in the case. The Army authorities have been directed to reply within 15 days, the next date of hearing on May 3.

The defence spokesman assured full cooperation to SIT investigating the case.

He said the army authorities have already initiated investigation in the alleged fake encounter in the Kashmir valley which is still on.

On March 16, a three-member police team headed by a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Hazratbal police station met army authorities to discuss about the case, he said.

The spokesman said the team was assured of full cooperation by the army authorities.

However, CIO said they could not proceed against Army personnel since one of the accused officer Colonel Vikram Singh was commanding the unit.

UNI