Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], April 3 : Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has ordered a magisterial inquiry into a recent encounter in the Arhama area of Ganderbal district that resulted in the death of Raashid Ahmad Mughal, a resident of Chuntwaliwar Lar.
The official order, issued by the Home Department, follows an overnight security operation on April 1, which reported one "terrorist" eliminated by security forces during a cordon and search operation in the Arhama area of Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has directed that the probe be "thorough and impartial" to ascertain the specific facts and circumstances surrounding the incident that led to the death.
The move comes amid speculation surrounding Mughal's link to terrorism. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also called for transparency, citing the claims from the deceased's family.
"I believe the claim of the family should not be dismissed out of hand. At the very least, this encounter needs a transparent & time bound probe with the facts made public. Any attempt to obfuscate or delay the announcement of a probe will only damage credibility & that is not in anyone's interest," the CM wrote on X.
The District Magistrate of Ganderbal has been tasked with leading the investigation and is required to submit a comprehensive report to the Home Department within seven days.
"The issue has been examined and accordingly, you are requested to get a thorough and impartial magisterial inquiry conducted into the matter to ascertain the facts and circumstances leading to the death of Raashid Ahmad Mughal," the official order said.
According to the Indian Army, the mentioned operation was launched on Tuesday night, following which intermittent firing was reported, prompting security forces to tactically reorganise the cordon. The Army said troops responded effectively with a calibrated approach, leading to the elimination of one "terrorist".
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