The military said on Friday that the powers conferred under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) were violated in the July killing of three people, allegedly terrorists, at Shopian in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and that all three were actually Rajouri’s locals in the same UT, although their involvement in terrorist activities is still under investigation.
The families of the three blamed the army for killing them in a false encounter.
Army spokesman Rajesh Kalia said in a statement that the investigation ordered by the army authorities into the operation in Amshipora in Shopian on July 18 has been concluded.
“The investigation has produced certain prima facie evidence that indicates that during the operation, the powers conferred by AFSPA 1990 were exceeded and that what should and should not be done of the Chief of Staff of the Army (COAS) approved by the Honorable Supreme Court contravened. Consequently, the competent disciplinary authority has ordered the initiation of a disciplinary process under the Army Law against those who prima facie respond, ”added the spokesman.
He said the evidence gathered showed that the three unidentified men killed in Amshipora are actually Imtiyaz Ahmed, Abrar Ahmed and Mohd Ibrar of Rajouri.
“Your DNA report is expected. The police are investigating her involvement in terrorist or related activities. The Army is committed to the ethical conduct of operations, ”the spokesman said.
Last week, the families of the three wrote to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, requesting his intervention after DNA reports were delayed.
The three men, related to each other, were shot dead in an encounter on July 18. DNA samples from their families were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Srinagar, and to the FSL in Chandigarh. People familiar with the matter said the government received the FSL report from the Srinagar laboratory, but its contents had not been made public.
“Our children left for the Shopian on July 16, in search of work where one of our relatives, Imtiyaz Ahmed, works at the ‘Lambardar’ house. After a couple of days, we lost contact with the children. So we decided to file a disappearance complaint, ”says the letter from the families, adding that on August 10 they learned, through social networks, that the three men were murdered in a meeting.
“We identify them from photographs of the bodies. On August 13, a Shopian police team collected DNA samples from us. They assured us that the DNA report would be out within 10 days. To date, we have not been informed about the reports, ”the plea told Sinha.
“Our children had no relation to the militancy. To do this, we demand an investigation. They were murdered in cold blood and were simply students and workers. We demand an impartial and fair investigation into the murders, as well as the DNA reports, so that things can be made public, ”the letter reads. The families added in the letter that several of their members are still in the military.
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