The Indian Army has finally accepted that three civilians were tortured to death during interrogation by the troops in December, last year, in Poonch district of occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Indian army came to the conclusion after ordering a so-called investigation into the gruesome killings.
Notably, it was after a massive outcry that the Indian army ordered inquiries into the deaths in custody. The families of the three victims – Safeer Hussain (43), Mohammad Showket (27) and Shabir Ahmad (32) – all residents of Topa Peer village in Poonch, civil society and political leaders in IIOJK had then said that they were tortured to death by the Army.
The martyred civilians were among dozens picked up by the Army for questioning following an attack in which four Indian troops were killed in Bufliaz area of Surankote in Poonch.
Indian media reported that the army’s internal inquiries into the killing of three civilians have found serious lapses and operational gaps in the conduct of 7-8 personnel, including officers, at various levels of authority.
According to The Indian Express report, the sources have indicated that appropriate disciplinary measures have been suggested against two officers, Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), and other ranks who were present during the interrogation of the civilians who were detained.
Reacting to the Indian army’s investigation, Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti said no action followed in previous inquiries where the culpability of Indian armed personnel was confirmed.
In a post on X, she said, “We have witnessed how enquiries & probes into fake encounters have always confirmed the culpability of armed personnel guilty in such cases…. Unfortunately be it Pathribal, Machil or Shopian fake encounters no action followed any of the enquiries. Those responsible for the cold blooded murder of innocent civilians got away scot free”.
“One can only hope that the recent probe ordered into the tragic killing of three young men from Buffliaz delivers justice & a sense of closure to the grieving families. Only time will tell,” she added.—KMS
