Gujjar killed, another hurt in Army firing in Ramban

A civilian was killed and another injured when the Army allegedly opened fire on them in the wee hours of Sunday in Upper Kohli village of Gool tehsil in Ramban district.
The deceased has been identified as Muhammad Rafiq Gujjar (28) and the injured as Shakeel Ahmed (30). Both were residents of the Dalwa area in Gool.
The police registered an FIR against the Army in Dharamkund police station under Sections 302 and 307 of the RPC and Sections 7, 27 and 30 of the Arms Act after people of the area staged a protest.
Giving details, Ramban SSP Mohan Lal said, “In Upper Kohli village, the Army had cordoned off the area and around 3.45 am, it opened fire in which one Muhammad Rafiq Gujjar was killed and Shakeel Ahmed was injured.”
“The victims were herding their cattle to pastures in the upper reaches of Gool and had no link with militancy,” the SSP said while confirming that a case against the Army had been registered.
After the incident, the Army too issued a statement. “Today an operation was launched by the Army based on specific intelligence inputs in the Kohli area of Gool tehsil in Ramban district,” said the defence spokesperson in Jammu.
“At 3:45 am, the Army patrol saw some suspicious activity. The suspected individuals were challenged by the Army as per the standard operating procedure. On being challenged, the suspected individuals opened fire on the Army patrol. On this, the Army patrol retaliated effectively. Further details are being ascertained,” he added.
DGP SP Vaid, however, told Kashmir Post that “after the Army cordoned off the area and fired upon the civilians, no arms or ammunition was found from the possession of the deceased and the injured,”
Meanwhile, the Gujjar and Bakerwal tribal communities have demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident. “The killing of Rafiq Gujjar is highly condemnable and needs to be investigated thoroughly,” said Javaid Rahi, a Gujjar leader.
On July 18, 2013, four people were killed in BSF firing in Gool.

It was retaliatory fire: Army
“An operation was launched by the Army based on specific intelligence inputs in the Kohli area of Gool tehsil in Ramban district. At 3.45 am, the Army patrol saw some suspicious activity. The suspected individuals were challenged by the Army as per the standard operating procedure. On being challenged, the suspected individuals opened fire on the Army patrol. On this, the Army patrol retaliated effectively. Further details are being ascertained.” Defence spokesperson

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