Srinagar: CRPF personnel opened fire on a vehicle killing the person who was on the wheel on Srinagar-Gulmarg Highway near Narbal in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Wednesday issued a statement and said that after fearing sabotage, CRPF party manning the Naka fired warning shots which hit the left shoulder of a driver who subsequently was declared brought dead by doctors at SMHS hospital.
“Today, at about 1020 hours a civil vehicle, Wagon R, registration No JK02AK 6702 broke a Check point of J&K police and sped and came across another Check point of CRPF, manned by troops of C/141 Bn CRPF and jumped this Check point as well at Gulmarg – Narbal Road near Police Post Narbal”, statement issued by CRPF said.
It said, “A convoy of Army, at that point in time, was passing through the adjacent road and fearing a sabotage, the CRPF jawan of C/141, manning this Naka, fired warning shots. This civil car was driving in the wrong direction of the road and that was even more alarming. When the car didn’t stop, despite warning shots, the jawan fired at the car and in turn, the driver was hit on his left shoulder. Subsequently, he was shifted to SHMS hospital, Srinagar, where, he was declared as brought dead by the doctors”.
“The individual was identified as Peer Mehraj-ud-din son of Gulam Nabi resident of Makhama Beerwah of central Kashmir’s Budgam district”, statement added.
However, the uncle of the slain contested the police claims saying he too was travelling along with the slain youth and they did not jump any checkpoint.
Meanwhile, the family of the slain contested CRPF claims and termed the killing as “cold-blooded” murder.
Ghulam Nabi, father of the deceased told KNS, “The claims made by CRPF regarding killing of my son are absolutely unfounded and deceitful. He was murdered in a cold-blood.”
He said my son had not ignored the directions of Naka party but was dragged out from his vehicle and was murdered on the road.
“He was on way to Srinagar to drop his uncle but when they reached Narbal, they were dragged out from vehicle and my son was fired upon”, he said.
Ghulam Nabi said that CRPF is now trying to shield its crime while making concocted statement. “He was shot at chest with a deliberate attempt and claims of forces personnel are absolute lies”, he added.
He rejected magisterial probe and demanded impartial and fair judicial investigation into the matter to bring to justice the “killers of his son.”
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam Tariq Hussain Ganaie told KNS that an FIR has been lodged into the incident and investigations taken up.
“Whosoever is found responsible, will be taken to the task, ” he said.
