J&K govt orders enquiry into 15-month-old encounter between militants and army

Officials privy to the cases said that the J&K police have sought the inquiry reports of more than two dozen encounters, for which the security personnel were recommended for gallantry awards. “Magisterial inquiry would be ordered in more than two dozen cases that took place across the state in past several years,” said an official.

In February 2014, army had claimed to kill seven militants in an encounter that took place at Dardpora forests. Soon after the encounter, protests broke out in the area and some villagers even alleged that the slain militants were killed in fake encounter.

Deputy Commissioner Kupwara K Ranjan said the inquiry has been initiated after Union government returned the cases that had recommended by J&K government for gallantry awards. “This is not the only case that will be probed, inquiry will be ordered in other cases that happened in the district in past few years,” he said.

The DC Kupwara has asked additional deputy commissioner Kupwara to conduct the magisterial inquiry in the encounter. Sources said that government has already issued directives to the DC’s of other districts. “In J&K many security force personnel and officials were awarded gallantry awards, however, now onwards the MHA will be following the strict procedure following the directions of NHRC and Supreme Court of India,’’ an official said.

In the past, people raised eyebrows over the veracity of the many encounters, especially the encounters that took place on the Line of Control. Many officials on the basis of encounters were not only awarded out of turn promotions but also given gallantry awards.