JOIN USThe Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday produced before a local court in Kupwara district Territorial Army (TA) personnel involved in the disappearance of two surrendered militants and a civilian.
The accused Manzoor Ahmad of 160 TA Battalion was arrested by the police on Tuesday night and produced before the court on Wednesday for police remand.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, North Kashmir, Gareeb Dass said Manzoor was detained by the police after the family members of three villagers lodged a complaint that their kin have been missing since November 17.
“They also told us that the missing villagers were last seen with the army man,” he told reporters,” he said and added only after investigations will it be known where the missing villagers are.
The family members of the missing persons filed a petition in the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court Kupwara in which they said that the whereabouts of Ghulam Jeelani Khatana, 42, Mir Hussain Khatana, 45 - residents of Gojar Patti, Satbonya, Kupwara, and Ali Muhammad Sheikh, 40 of Trehgam, Kupwara are missing since November 17 after they were taken by Manzoor.
After court directions, the police registered a case against the TA man under an FIR number 100/2015 under 364 of Ranbir Penal Code. The accused was arrested on Tuesday night and produced before the court on Wednesday for police remand.
Sources told Deccan Herald that two of the disappeared persons, Ali Sheikh and Mir Hussain were surrendered militants. Sheikh was earlier associated with Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) militant outfit and was released from prison some months back.
Army denies fake encounter
The Army on Wednesday said the case of alleged abduction by Territorial Army (TA) rifleman Manzoor Ahmad Khwaja was sub-judice, DHNS reports from Srinagar.
“TA soldier reported to police whenever required by them. Full cooperation is being extended by the Army in investigations which are in progress. Individual has given his statement to the police,” PRO, Defence, Col N N Joshi said in a statement.
“Army denies any case of fake encounter as alluded to in news reports. We stand by policy of zero tolerance for human rights violations,” he said.