Probe ordered into killing of civilians in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 16 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir government today ordered a high-level probe into the killing of two civilians by some unidentified gunmen in Kakapora area of Pulwama district following massive protests by the locals.

The locals alleged that Farooq Ahmed Wani and Shakoor Ahmed Dar, both civilians, were murdered by police in cold blood at Mohiniwaj near Kakapora in the district last night.

Refusing to bury the bodies, thousands of villagers assembled at the Pulwama-Kakapora road this morning and staged a sit-in.

The angry protesters claimed that they had recovered two bags meant for the police personnel from the spot and also alleged that prior to the shootout, a police party had come to the village to inquire about a particular case.

After the policemen left, the locals said they heard the gunshots. On reaching the spot, the agitated villagers said they found the two men lying in a pool of blood.

However, police denied the charge, saying the personnel had gone to the village unarmed and were not involved in the incident.

Police said some unidentified gunmen opened indiscriminate fire on a Santro car, bearing registration number JK02AC-7626, at Mohiniwaj near Kakapora last night.

They said Tariq Ahmad Mir, a resident of Hatiwara in Pampore, was driving the vehicle which carried police personnel on their way back to the Kakapora post after investigations into a case.

Police said Mir, a daily wager in the Public Health Engineering Department, was injured and the vehicle damaged in the firing.

The two pedestrians -- Wani and Dar -- came under the heavy firing and sustained serious bullet injuries. The two were rushed to the Sub District Hospital in Pampore where they were declared brought dead, police added.

They said the police personnel did not retaliate the fire as a large number of villagers had gathered on the roadside.

The bodies have been taken to a hospital for medico legal formalities. Police have registered a case in this regard and launched a manhunt to nab the killers.

However, the villagers refused to buy the police version and sought a thorough probe into the killings.

The protestors later proceeded toward the office of Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, Mehraj Ahmed Kakroo, demanding action against the killers.

The agitated protestors, shouting anti-police slogans, were pacified by the Deputy Commissioner who immediately ordered a probe into the incident.

Assistant Commissioner, Revenue, Mohammad Rajab Bhat was appointed as the inquiry officer into the incident and asked to submit his report within a month.

The Deputy Commissioner assured the angry protestors that strict action would be taken against those found involved in the killing.

Following the assurances, the protesters dispersed and buried the bodies.

UNI