Srinagar, Apr 2 — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday called for a “transparent and time-bound probe with the facts made public” into the Ganderbal encounter, after a family claimed the slain man had “no link with militancy,” according to a report by The Tribune.
The Army said one militant was killed during an operation in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal, but has not disclosed the identity or affiliation of the deceased. Police are yet to issue a statement.
Ajaz Ahmad, brother of the deceased Rashid Ahmad Mughal from Chountwaliwar, told The Tribune that his brother had left home on Tuesday morning and did not return. “We are shocked to hear this. He was totally innocent and he has been killed,” he said, adding that the clothes on the body did not match what his brother was wearing when he left.
“He left home in the morning and didn’t return. Yesterday, the local police were asked to identify the body and it was found out that it was my brother,” he said.
Omar Abdullah, reacting to the claims, said the incident “needs a transparent and time-bound probe with the facts made public.”
Srinagar-based Defence PRO Lt Col Manoj Sahu said he could not comment on the family’s allegations, adding that further details would emerge once police establish the background of the slain individual.
In a post on X, the Army’s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said a joint operation was launched with Jammu and Kashmir Police in the Arhama area based on “specific intelligence.”
“During the search, vigilant troops observed suspicious activity. On being challenged, terrorists opened fire and our troops retaliated,” the Army said.