Army ‘attaches’ 16 men – Police registers murder case

A day after two youth were killed in army firing in Chattergam area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, a Column of 53 Rashtriya Rifles was attached Tuesday even as police registered a murder case into the incident and started investigation.
A senior Army official said that the entire 53 Rashtriya Rifle Column, comprising 16 soldiers including an officer, were shifted to Sector Headquarters of RR on Monday evening. “The court of inquiry into the incident is being conducted by Deputy Commander of the Sector,” the official said, adding that the soldiers have been put to “sustained questioning.”
“The questioning will reveal the circumstances about the firing that led to killing of two youth and critical injuries to two others,” he said. “The unit (53 RR) belongs to 12 Sector of Victor Force and inquiry is being conducted by a different Sector and officer.”
The official said “besides hectic effort for speedy inquiry by Lt Gen Saha”, senior higher officials of Army have also directed by “early results of inquiry.”
Meanwhile, Army said the condition of two injured persons, Zahid Abdul Naqqash and Shakir Ahmed Bhat, who were rushed to 92 Base Hospital after the incident and operated upon, is stable.
“Their families were brought to the hospital where arrangements were made for their stay enabling them to stay close to the patients,” an Army spokesman said, adding, “Army is in touch with the families of the deceased and has assured all assistance to them in this hour of grief.”

POLICE REGISTERS CASE
Meanwhile, police has registered a murder case into the incident. The FIR registered in Police Station Chadoora, a copy of which is with Greater Kashmir reads: “On November 3, at 5.20 pm, police received information from reliable sources that Army unit (53 RR) had laid a check point/naka at general road Chattergam. During the naka duty, the personnel fired upon a vehicle Maruati car (JK01 R -0321) resulting in the death of two persons and injuries to two individuals travelling in the car. On receipt of information a case FIR NO 231/14, Under Section 302, 307 RPC was registered and investigations set into the motion.”