Jammu and Kashmir government orders magisterial probe into killing of 3 persons in army firing

Army has already ordered an inquiry into the incident.

District Development Commissioner, Kulgam ordered the magisterial inquiry into the killing of three persons - Showkat Ahmad Itoo, Seda Begum and Nelofar - in a firing incident at Churat near Qazigund, 80 km from here on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway on Monday.

According to a government notification, Additional District Magistrate Ghulam Hassan Sheikh has been appointed as the inquiry officer.

"He (Sheikh) will hold the inquiry into the circumstances which led to the incident and submit the report within 15 days," the notification read.

Regretting the incident, the Army on Tuesday had ordered an inquiry into the incident and assured all possible assistance to the bereaved families and six others who were injured in the "unfortunate" incident.

"The Army deeply regrets, the unfortunate loss of life in the incident at Churat, Qaziund where the troops were forced to open fire when a large mob turned violent, resorting to heavy stone pelting and attempted to snatch weapons from the soldiers. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident," the Army had said.

Forty-three persons were killed and scores of others injured in the ongoing unrest following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.

This is the first instance when the government ordered a probe into any incident which led to the killing of protesters anywhere in the valley.

On July 19, a local court here has also directed the police to register a case against its officer accused of acting "beyond the powers" in connection with the killing of a youth in Tengpora area of Srinagar on July 10.