Poonch ambush: Protests over civilian deaths amid ongoing hunt for terrorists

Various political parties in Jammu and Kashmir held protests on Saturday (December 23) urging a fair investigation into the deaths of three civilians allegedly detained by the Army for interrogation.

Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir administration announced compensation and jobs to the kin of the three civilians who were found dead under suspicious circumstances on Friday near the site of an anti-terrorist operation in Poonch district.

In a post on X, the Information and PR department of the Union Territory said, "The death of three civilians was reported yesterday in Baffliaz of Poonch District. The medico-legal formalities were conducted and legal action in this matter has been initiated by the appropriate authority."

"Government has announced compensation for each of the deceased. Further Government has also announced compassionate appointments to the next of kin of each deceased," it added.

According to officials, the bodies were found near the site of an ambush by terrorists on Army vehicles in Poonch. Five soldiers were killed and two injured when heavily armed terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles at a blind curve at Dhatyar Morh between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz on Thursday.

The deceased – Safeer Hussain (43), Mohammad Showket (27) and Shabir Ahmad (32) – were among the eight people reportedly picked up by the Army for questioning in connection with Thursday's attack, the officials had said.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, however, claimed that 15 people were picked up by the Army for questioning, of whom three died, while the remaining were seriously injured.

“After the Poonch incident, 15 people were picked up by the Army for questioning from Topa Peer village, out of which bodies of three bearing injury marks were found near the encounter site. The remaining 12 persons are admitted to different hospitals and are in critical condition,” Mehbooba said at a press conference on Saturday.

The former chief minister of J&K demanded that the Jammu and Kashmir administration sanction a compensation of Rs 50 lakh each for the families of the three deceased.

“I request the Lieutenant Governor that till the time an inquiry is done into the matter, the three families be provided with a relief of Rs 50 lakh each and the injured admitted to hospitals be provided Rs 5 lakh each. Their families are very poor,” she said.

She also referred to a video purportedly showing a few Armymen torturing some suspects.

“I also watched a video that shows Armymen thrashing people and spraying red chilli powder on their wounds. It is a heart-wrenching video, however, I do not know about its authenticity," Mehbooba said.

Meanwhile, scores of activists of the Apni Party led by their Kashmir provincial president Ashraf Mir protested at the party headquarters in the Church Lane area in Srinagar on Saturday against the civilian deaths.

The protestors tried marching out of their office but were stopped by the police.

“We want justice for the killed civilians. A thorough investigation of the case should be done,” Mir said, speaking to reporters.

The National Conference (NC) also protested on Saturday over the same issue.

The NC workers shouted slogans demanding authorities to “stop the bloodshed of innocents”. They, too, were stopped by the police when they tried to march out of their party office.

“NC has always condemned terror. We condemn the killing of five armymen. But, we also condemn the killing of innocent civilians. When the government announced NIA inquiry into the killing of Armymen, then an inquiry should also be launched into the killing of civilians,” the party’s general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said.

Meanwhile, senior CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami demanded a prompt and impartial inquiry into the mysterious death of the three persons.

“Demanding a fair probe into the "mysterious" death of 3 civilians near the encounter spot in Poonch. A prompt & impartial probe is crucial to ascertain the cause of their death,” Tarigami said in a post on X.

“Also condemning in no uncertain terms the militant attack in which 5 soldiers made ultimate sacrifices in the line of duty. My deep condolences to their families,” the CPI(M) leader's post added.

Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed also called for a thorough investigation into the civilian deaths.

The amalgam, in a statement, said it grieved the loss of precious human lives and condemned bloodshed, which has been taking place for decades in J-K and "continues, with apparently no end in sight”.

“The Hurriyat repeatedly advocates exploration of the clichéd sounding engagement and talks as the viable peaceful alternative available to resolve issues and put an end to loss of human lives and suffering,” it added.

The bodies of the civilians were laid to rest at their ancestral graveyard in Buffliaz Saturday afternoon.

Army assures full cooperation

The Army is committed to extending full support and cooperation in the conduct of investigation into the death of three civilians during an operation to track down terrorists behind the recent ambush on two Army vehicles that left five soldiers dead, the force said on Saturday.

In a post on X, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army said, "Search operations by the security forces are continuing in the area of operations after the incident of 21 Dec 23. Reports have been received regarding three civilian deaths in the area. The matter is under investigation. Indian Army stands committed to extending full support and cooperation in the conduct of investigations."

(With agency inputs)