Kashmir civilian killed, murder case against army men

SRINAGAR - A civilian was shot dead in an army ambush, in the first such killing in Jammu and Kashmir this year. Police swiftly registered a murder case against the soldiers Saturday and a magisterial enquiry was ordered into the incident.

Manzoor Ahmad Magray, 24, was killed in an ambush laid by the army for separatist guerrillas in Chogal village of Kupwara district, around 70 km from here, at 10.30 p.m. Friday.

“An FIR (26/2011) under section 302 (murder) of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) has been registered in Handwara police station against the security men deployed in Gund Chogal village on the night of Feb 4-5,” a senior police officer said here.

The additional district magistrate of Kupwara will also conduct a magisterial probe into the incident and furnish the report within a fortnight, an officer of the divisional administration said here.

Hundreds of villagers blocked the road near Chogal village with the body of the slain villager.

After assurances from the authorities, the relatives agreed to bury the body.

While the army said the civilian had walked into the ambush that had been laid for the separatists, relatives and locals demanded action against the guilty.

It was also alleged by relatives that the youth was forcibly taken out of his home by soldiers before the firing incident.

In a statement, the army regretted the civilian’s death saying: “At approximately 22.30 hours, troops detected suspicious movement of two persons coming towards the ambush (site).

“In accordance with standard operating procedure, troops challenged the individuals to surrender, both the individuals instead attempted to run away, upon which the troops opened fire, resulting in fatal injuries to Manzoor Ahmad Magray.

“We deeply and sincerely express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The army, although strictly adhering to the challenging procedures as per the rules of engagement, regrets the loss, more so as the year has been declared by the army as the Year of Kashmiri Awam,” the statement said.

Last year over 100 civilians were killed in firing by the security forces in the Kashmir Valley during clashes with stone-pelting protesters.