Probe ordered into alleged fake encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal

Srinagar: A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into an alleged fake encounter in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, with authorities directing a time-bound probe into the killing of a local youth.

An official communication issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department on April 2 has asked the District Magistrate, Ganderbal, to conduct a “thorough and impartial” inquiry into the encounter at Arhama that resulted in the death of Raashid Ahmad Mughal, a resident of Chuntwaliwar Lar, Ganderbal.

The order states that the probe will “ascertain the facts and circumstances leading to the death” and mandates that the inquiry be completed within seven days, with the report to be submitted to the Home Department.

The “encounter” took place on April 1 during a cordon-and-search operation launched jointly by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police following “specific inputs” about militant presence.

Police have said that the slain individual was a terrorist who was killed in an exchange of fire after security forces came under attack.

However, the family of the deceased has contested the claim, alleging that Raashid Ahmad Mughal was a civilian with no links to terrorism and demanding a fair and transparent probe into the incident.

Officials said the magisterial inquiry will examine the sequence of events, including the intelligence inputs, conduct of the operation, and whether standard operating procedures were followed.

Statements of security personnel, witnesses and family members are expected to be recorded, and forensic evidence examined.

The case has revived memories of previous controversial encounters in Kashmir that were followed by probes. In the Amshipora encounter, three civilians were killed and later identified as non-terrorists, prompting a police investigation and charges against Army personnel.

Similarly, the Pathribal encounter, which followed the Chittisinghpora massacre, had triggered a prolonged probe amid allegations that civilians were falsely labelled as militants.

Authorities said the current inquiry will focus on establishing the identity and background of the slain youth and determining the circumstances under which the encounter took place.