Conflict

Handwara Encounter: Slain youth was a second year student, was picked up from his orchard, claim locals

‘He was taken away by army from his orchard and killed in a fake encounter,’ Locals say.

Defense PRO Mr. Rajesh Kalia, while speaking to the FreePressKashmir said, ‘I will get back to you on that’.

 

Srinagar: The locals of Daril village in Handwara on Thursday rejected that the claims made by the army about the killing of a militant in an encounter yesterday and termed it as baseless and fabricated.

“The slain youth was a second year college student who had gone to visit his orchard,” said Imran, a local in Handwara, while speaking to the FreePressKashmir. “He was taken away by army from his orchard and killed in a fake encounter,” Imran said.

The situation remains tense in the area with locals refusing to bury the body, where the locals are demanding action against the Indian Army.

The Defence PRO, Rajesh Kalia, while speaking to the FreePressKashmir, on Wednesday had said, “one militant has been killed, and a weapon has been recovered from the encounter site.”

The gunfight had started on Tuesday after forces launched searches in the area following a tip off about the presence of militants.

Forces launched a cordon and search operation at Hongnikote in Haphruda forest area of Handwara, 85 km’s from Srinagar, following information about the presence of militants there, the officials said.

They said during searches, the militants opened fire on forces who retaliated, triggering a gun battle.

Meanwhile massive protests have erupted in the native village of the slain.

On being asked whether the alleged militant was a civilian, Mr Rajesh Kalia, while speaking to the FreePressKashmir said, “I will get back to you on that”.

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