Jammu Tawi, Feb 6: Authorities on Thursday ordered separate enquiries into the death of a man, Makhandin, after he was called for questioning by the Police in Kathua district.
A Police spokesman said, “Makhandin was the nephew of Pak exfiltrated Terrorist Swar Din @ Swaru Gujjar, he is helping in the same group that conducted the Badnotta Army Convoy attack in July 2024 in which 4 Army Jawans were martyred.”
“It is the same group which led to the killing & martyrdom of HC Bashir in Kohag opertaion. Makhan had number of suspicious contacts in Pak and other foreign countries. There was no custodial torture or injury. He was questioned and then got exposed, went home and committed suicide,” the spokesman said.
After the news of the youth’s death broke out Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rakesh Manhas ordered a magisterial enquiry into the incident.
An official order reads: “Anil Kumar, Tehsildar Lohai Malhar, has been appointed as the Inquiry Magistrate to investigate the case and ascertain the actual cause of death. He has been directed to submit a detailed report within five days.”
“The inquiry will involve recording statements from all relevant individuals and following all requisite legal procedures,” the order reads.
The District Magistrate has instructed the inquiry officer to ensure a comprehensive probe into the matter. Copies of the order have been sent to the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, the Senior Superintendent of Police Kathua, the Additional Deputy Commissioner Billawar, and the appointed Inquiry Magistrate for necessary action.
The Police spokesman said that the senior police officers have ordered a departmental inquiry which will be conducted by Shiv Kumar- DIG JSK Range.
“The enquiry officer has been directed to submit his report at the earliest to higher ups,” the spokesman said, adding that the public is requested to pay no heed to the rumors and co-operate with the Police.
He said that Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Operation Billawar Amir Iqbal, Dy SP Javaid Tabassum, SDPO Billawar Neeraj Padyar and the concerned SHO met the family members of the deceased and assured fair and transparent investigation.
Following Makhandin’s death former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti posted on X that a crackdown is being “launched and Din was subjected to custodial death.” “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 DGP @JmuKmrPolice to initiate an immediate investigation,” she posted.
The Police spokesman termed Mehbooba Mufti’s post as “ baseless and misleading.” “There is no crackdown in Billawar Town, Traffic is playing smoothly, normal routine life is functioning in Billawar, Youth in Billawar are enjoying their life, going to school, college. Routine work is running smoothly. Further, Internet facility in district Kathua has not been hampered.”
“Whatever is said in the tweet of Mehbooba Mufti is not true,” the spokesman said, adding that two probes have been ordered into the incident.
Asserting that he has taken up the matter of youth’s suicide and the killing of a truck driver with the Centre, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced that his government would also initiate a probe in both the incidents.
Expressing concern, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took to X and wrote: “I have seen the reports of excessive use of force & harassment of Makhan Din in police custody in Billawar leading to his suicide and the death of Waseem Ahmed Malla, shot by the army under circumstances that are not entirely clear. Both these incidents are highly unfortunate and should not have happened.”
“J&K will never be completely normalised and free of terror without the cooperation of & partnership with the local population. Incidents like these risk alienating the very people who we need to carry with us on the road to complete normalcy,” he added.
The Chief Minister assured that the government is committed to ensuring a transparent and time-bound investigation into both incidents. “I have taken up these incidents with the Union Government & insisted that both incidents are inquired into in a time-bound, transparent manner. The Government in J&K will also order its own inquiries,” he wrote.
Truck driver killed in firing after ‘ignoring’ security check
Srinagar, Feb 6: A truck driver from Sopore was killed in a firing incident after he allegedly ignored a security forces’ checkpoint (Naka) in Baramulla district on Thursday.
An official informed that the incident occurred when a vehicle carrying apple boxes was signaled to stop at the Naka set up by security forces in Baramulla. The vehicle, however, failed to comply with the order, following which the security forces opened fire, resulting in injuries to the driver, who was shifted to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, he said.
The driver has been identified as Waseem Majeed Mir (35), son of Abdul Majeed Mir, resident of Goripora Darpora Bomai Sopore. His family members and relatives on Thursday said that Waseem was innocent and had never taken part in any anti-national activity. They said the authorities must make the CCTV footage viral so that everything will come to light. They have sought the attention of higher authorities and demanded a thorough investigation and justice in this regard.
Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance of the incident and started an investigation.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he has taken up this issue alongside Billawar incident with the Union Government and insisted that both incidents be inquired into in a time-bound, transparent manner.
A police spokesperson said they received information that an Army party had established a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) to intercept potential threats. “A suspicious civil truck was spotted moving at high speed. Despite repeated warnings, the vehicle did not stop and instead accelerated past the check post. Troops pursued the truck for over 23 km, and, as per protocol, fired at the tires to deflate them, forcing the vehicle to halt at Sangrama Chowk,” he said.
He said a detailed search was conducted, and the injured driver was immediately evacuated to GMC Baramulla, where he was declared dead. “An FIR has been registered in PS Baramulla. The truck has been moved to the nearest police station for a thorough search. Post-mortem proceedings have been initiated to ascertain the cause of death,” the spokesperson said.
“Consequent to the detailed search, the injured driver was immediately evacuated to GMC Baramulla by security forces, where he was declared dead,” it reads further.
