Says ‘Inquiry to examine “all aspects,” ensure justice’
Home Dept asks DM G’bal to submit report within a week
Political leaders across spectrum demand transparency
Family terms allegations of forces baseless
Irfan Yattoo
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the recent encounter in Ganderbal’s Arhama area, where security forces claimed to have killed a terrorist during an overnight operation earlier this week, even as the family of the deceased has contested the claim, asserting he was a civilian.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday directed a “thorough and impartial” probe into the incident, stating that all aspects surrounding the operation would be examined to ensure justice.
“I have ordered a comprehensive magisterial inquiry into the Arhama, Ganderbal incident. The inquiry will examine all aspects and ensure that justice is served,” he said in a statement.
Following the directions, the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department issued formal orders to the District Magistrate, Ganderbal, mandating a detailed investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of Raashid Ahmad Mughal. The administration has set a strict deadline of seven days for submission of the inquiry report.
The encounter took place during the night of March 31 and April 1, when a joint cordon-and-search operation was launched in the forested area of Arhama by units of the Army, including 02 Assam Rifles and 24 Rashtriya Rifles, along with CRPF’s 49 Battalion and Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Security forces had claimed that one terrorist was killed during the operation and that arms and ammunition, including an AK-56 rifle, magazines, and live rounds, were recovered from the site.
However, the family of the deceased, identified as Raashid Ahmad Mughal, son of Gull Zaman Mughal and a resident of Chuntwaliwar in Lar area of Ganderbal, has rejected the ‘terrorist’ claim.
They have maintained that he had no links to terrorism and was a civilian, raising serious questions about the circumstances of the encounter.
The incident has triggered political reactions across the Union Territory, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah calling for a transparent and time-bound probe, with findings made public. “The truth must come out, and accountability must be ensured,” he said.
Opposition leaders have also demanded a fair investigation. PDP President Mehbooba Mufti sought an independent inquiry into the incident, stressing the need for clarity and justice in the case.
The move to initiate a magisterial probe was welcomed by leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party, who emphasised that the inquiry should be conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
BJP leader Sajid Yousuf Shah said that ensuring accountability would strengthen public trust and reinforce confidence in institutional processes.
Similarly, PC President and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone expressed hope that the inquiry would be impartial and lead to justice. “We expect a transparent process so that facts are established and justice prevails,” he said.
