FIR lodged after cattle trader killed in army firing

A cattle trader was killed and another was injured when the army opened fire after noticing suspicious movement in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

Mohammad Rafiq Gujjar (28) and Shakeel Ahmad (30), both residents of Gool tehsil in Ramban, were fired upon by soldiers of the 58-Rashtriya Rifles (RR) at around 4 am, reports said.

While Gujjar died on the spot, Ahmad was shifted to district hospital Ramban for treatment.

The incident took place at a tunnel construction site in Sumbad, Kholi area of the district, reports added.

The army claimed that they opened fire after their patrol came under fire in the area.

"At 3.45 am, the army patrol saw some suspicious activity. The suspected individuals were challenged by the army as per standing operating procedure. On being challenged, the suspected individuals opened fire upon the army patrol. On this, the army patrol retaliated the firing by suspects effectively. Further details are being ascertained," Lt Col Devender Anand, a Jammu-based defence spokesperson, said.

He, however, added that further details regarding the incident were being ascertained.

Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Ramban Mohan Lal said an FIR has been registered against the army at Dharamkund police station. "Further investigation is on," he said.