Srinagar: A civilian was shot dead by the Army in north Kashmir’s Baramulla after allegedly failing to stop at a security checkpoint, while another civilian in Jammu’s Kathua district reportedly died after alleged torture in police custody.
In the Baramulla incident, the deceased was identified as Waseem Ahmad Mir, a resident of Goripora Bomai in Sopore. The Army stated that a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) was set up on February 5 following intelligence inputs about terrorist movement. According to the Army, a speeding truck ignored multiple warnings to stop, prompting troops to pursue it for 23 km before firing at its tyres to bring it to a halt at Sangrama Chowk. The injured driver was taken to Government Medical College, Baramulla, where he was declared dead.
The truck was taken into police custody for further investigation. The J&K police confirmed that an FIR has been registered, and a post-mortem is underway to determine the cause of death. Authorities urged the public to refrain from spreading misinformation or disrupting public order.
In a separate incident in Kathua’s Billawar, 25-year-old Makhan Din was allegedly tortured in police custody before being found dead on February 6. Locals claimed he was detained over suspected links to militants and subjected to beatings and mental harassment. They also alleged that Din had made a video inside a mosque denying any association with militants.
While the police have not issued a statement on the circumstances of his death, former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti accused the police of wrongful detention and custodial torture, calling for an immediate investigation. Internet services in the area have reportedly been suspended, and several individuals have been detained.
“He was reportedly subjected to brutal thrashing and torture, forced into a confession, and tragically found dead today. The area has been sealed off, and internet services have been cut, leading to widespread panic. There’s an ongoing crackdown, with more individuals being picked up. This incident appears to follow a troubling pattern of targeting innocent youths on fabricated charges. I urge the Director General of Police to initiate an immediate investigation.”
Mufti’s daughter Iltija Mufti has questioned the Army’s version of the civilian killing in Baramuula’s Sopore. “How strange that after chasing the truck for over 23 km they claim to have fired at the tyres but somehow misfired at him instead. Are Kashmiri lives so cheap? How long will you justify this unbridled impunity by pointing everyone with the needle of suspicion?”
