Jammu, Dec 25: Following the deaths of three civilians in Poonch, the Army has initiated a Court of Inquiry, concurrent with the police lodging a murder case against unidentified individuals. The fatalities occurred subsequent to the questioning of these civilians by the Army after an attack that claimed the lives of three soldiers, according to official sources.
Amidst this development, a brigadier-level officer has been reassigned, and action is underway against three officers from the 48 Rashtriya Rifles unit. The Army has responded seriously to the incident, which has sparked allegations of custodial torture and widespread public outrage.The soldiers lost their lives in a terrorist ambush between Dhera Ki Gali and Buffliaz on December 21. Following this, three civilians, aged between 27 and 42, were reportedly taken into custody for interrogation by the Army and were subsequently found deceased on December 22. Video footage purportedly depicting their torture was widely circulated on social media platforms.In an update shared on December 23, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army stated, “Search operations by the security forces are ongoing in the area following the incident on 21 Dec 23. Reports have surfaced regarding three civilian deaths. The matter is under investigation, and the Indian Army is fully committed to providing support and cooperation in the investigation process.”Expanding on their inquiry, sources confirmed that the Army has commenced a Court of Inquiry into the alleged torture and demise of the three civilians. A brigadier-level officer overseeing the Surankote area has been relocated, with further action expected against other officers within the involved unit.This is not the first instance where the counter-insurgency unit of the Army has faced controversy. In October, a major-rank officer within the same unit opened fire on colleagues and set off grenades at the Neeli post camp, resulting in injuries to five personnel, including three officers.Additionally, the police have registered a case under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code against unidentified Army personnel, citing a special nature of the case, ensuring a separate report will be submitted.Mohd Sadiq, a relative of one of the deceased individuals, emphasized the need to include the names of the Army major, policemen, and Army sources in the FIR, along with a demand for the immediate relocation of the Rashtriya Rifles camp. Sadiq highlighted the killings of innocent individuals and urged justice for the deceased.
