Conflict

Poonch civilian killing: Legal action initiated, says JK Admin

Armed forces patrol near military operation site in Jammu and Kashmir. [FPK Photo/ Qayoom Khan]

Poonch: A day after three civilian bodies were recovered near military operation site in Poonch, after militants ambush Indian Army vehicles that left five army personnel dead, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Saturday said that legal action has been initiated.

The medico-legal formalities were conducted to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Simultaneously, legal proceedings have been initiated by the appropriate authority to thoroughly investigate the incident and bring any responsible parties to justice.

The administration has also declared compensation and job to the NoKs of three deceased persons.

“The death of three civilians was reported yesterday in Baffliaz of Poonch District. The medico legal formalities were conducted and legal action in this matter has been initiated by the appropriate authority. Government has announced compensation for each of the deceased. Further Government has also announced compassionate appointments to the next of kin of each deceased,” an official statement by JK administration said.

On Thursday, three to four heavily-armed militants targeted an army gypsy and a truck at Dhatyar Morh between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz under the jurisdiction of Surankote police station in Poonch late Thursday afternoon, killing five army personnel and injuring two others.

After the attack, the militants reportedly mutilated the bodies of at least two army personnel and took weapons of some of them.

A massive search operation was launched immediately after the attack in the densely forested areas, also covering nearby Thanamandi in Rajouri but there was no fresh contact with the fleeing militants so far, the officials said.     

Three persons, who were among those detained for questioning by Army in connection with Thursday’s attack, died mysteriously on Friday. The sources told PTI that their bodies have been handed over to their families for last rites as investigation in continues in their deaths.

 The deceased were identified as Safeer Hussain, 43, Mohd Showket, 27 and Shabir Ahmad, 32 of Topa Peer village of Bufliaz but the cause of their death was not known immediately.

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