Civilian Deaths in Jammu and Kashmir Spark Protests and Outcry

Civilian Deaths in Jammu and Kashmir Spark Protests and Outcry

VoM News Desk | December 23, 2023 | 09:25 PM IST | Breaking News, Jammu Kashmir | Follow on Google News

Civilian Deaths in Jammu and Kashmir Spark Protests and Outcry

Civilian Deaths in Jammu and Kashmir Spark Protests and Outcry

The recent killing of three civilians in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district has triggered condemnation and demonstrations by political parties, urging justice for the victims.

The deceased individuals were found dead after being detained by the army for questioning, following a significant terrorist attack that claimed the lives of four soldiers and injured three others.

Amid ongoing search operations to apprehend the attackers, over a dozen individuals from the Gujjar community were apprehended in the Bufliaz area, drawing attention during a full media glare.

Later reports confirmed the deaths of three men—Showkat Hussain, Reyaz Ahmad, and Mohammad Safeer—who were among those detained.

The National Conference and Apni party conducted protests condemning the civilian killings, while former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti highlighted torture marks on the victims’ bodies and injuries sustained by some of the detained villagers during a press conference.

Following a viral video depicting people being subjected to physical abuse and torture, internet services were suspended in Poonch and Rajouri districts.

The increased tension in the area led to the deployment of additional police and paramilitary forces in Bafliaz and Surankote to avert potential protests, and roads to Bafliaz were closed as a preventive measure.

The Peoples Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), a front for Lashkar-e-Toiba, claimed responsibility for the attack on two army vehicles, releasing footage suggesting their involvement in the gunfight with body-cams. A pursuit is underway to locate the terrorists involved.

This incident echoes a prior attack in April by the PAFF on an army truck in Poonch, leading to the detention of numerous locals.

Tragically, Mukhtar Hussain Shah took his life, alleging harassment by security forces. Before his demise, Shah appealed for support for the army’s anti-terrorism efforts through a video message.

VoM News Desk

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