Alleged fake encounter in Shopian: Police to carry out DNA sampling

Taking cognisance of the claim by the families and media reports on “killing of three labourers” from Rajouri in an alleged fake encounter in South Kashmir’s Shopian district last month, Police today said that it will examine the claimants and carry out DNA sampling for matching purpose.

“Besides identification, police will also investigate all other aspects as per the law in due course of time,” police in a handout said.

   

The police in the handout said: “District Police Rajouri have been approached by some families yesterday claiming that their kin had gone to Shopian for labour work and contacted on phone on 17th July.

“As per families when they didn’t contact them after 17th July they lodged missing report at PP Peeru on 10/8/2020. Meanwhile social media reported that the terrorists killed in an operation at Shopian on 18/07/2020 are reportedly their kin.

“Apropos to our earlier press note regarding the said operation, police had provided sufficient time for identification of dead bodies at PCR Kashmir Srinagar. However, the dead bodies could not be identified and they were buried in presence of Magistrate after conducting post-mortem and lifting DNA samples.

“Taking cognisance of the claim by the families and media reports, Shopian Police will examine the claimants and carry out DNA sampling for matching purpose. Besides identification, Police will also investigate all other aspects as per the law in due course of time.

Meanwhile, Army has also taken notice of the family and social media claims regarding the said operation and initiated investigations.”

Since Monday morning, there have been posts on social media that three residents of Rajouri – 26 year old Ibrar Ahmed son of Mohammad Yousuf of Tarkassi, 21 year old Mohammad Imtiyaz son of Sabar Hussain of Kathuni Mohalla, Dharsakri and 18 year old Mohammad Imran son of Bagha Khan of Kathuni Mohalla, Dhar Sakri – who had come to Shopian for labour work have been allegedly killed in an purported fake encounter.

The social media reports alleged that the families had identified their wards from photographs of the dead bodies. They have been buried in Uri area of Baramulla district.

The families have not approached district administration Baramulla for exhumation so far.

Soon after these reports on social media, Army on Monday had said that they were investigating the matter.

“We have noted social media inputs linked to the operation at Shopian on 18 July 2020,”Army had said. “The three militants killed during the operation have not been identified and the bodies were buried based on established protocols,” Army had said adding that they were investigating the matter.

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