Srinagar, 25 Dec: Following the deaths of three civilians allegedly in Army custody, the Army has attached Brigadier in command of 13 Sector Rashtriya Rifles and two other officers in Poonch as a part of an internal inquiry into the killing of three civilians, officials on Monday said.
A senior Army officer at 16 Core Headquarters told Rising Kashmir that they have taken three Army officers including Brigadier Padam Acharya, Army Col, Lt.Col as part of internal investigation.
“Brig. Acharya has been attached to Core headquarters till investigation will be completed. Replacement officer has assumed command in the interim, with official posting orders expected later,” he said.
The officer said Police have also registered an FIR under section 302 in Surankote Police Station over civilian killings. We are investigating the case from all ends and justice will be delivered to the victims.
On Thursday, the dead bodies of three civilians identified as Safeer Hussain, 37, Mohammed Showkat, 26 and Shabir Ahmed, 32 were found by the locals of the area. All of the slain civilians are the residents of Topa Mastandara village in Poonch district.
Mehmood Ahmed, Sarpanch of Topa Mastandara told Rising Kashmir that three persons who lost their lives were part of a group of eight individuals apprehended allegedly by Army from their homes in the aftermath of Buffiliyaz attack, in which 4 Jawans were killed in terror ambush attack.
“The condition of five other persons, who are admitted at GMC Jammu is stable and out of danger. We demand justice and nothing else, he said.
On Monday, additional security personnel were deployed to the Poonch district amidst an ongoing search operation in the wooded terrain of Dera ki Gali. This area witnessed a recent ambush by heavily armed terrorists from across the border, targeting two Army vehicles.
Meanwhile mobile internet services were suspended in Rajouri and Poonch districts on Monday as a massive search and anti-terror operation in Dehra Ki Gali (DKG) forests in Bufliaz entered the 5th day.
Mobile internet services were suspended amid prevailing security concerns after a recent terror attack followed by the mysterious death of three civilians, hailing from a village near the attack site.
A police officer said the situation remained peaceful in Poonch and Rajouri region for the 5th day on Monday and there was no law and order incident reported from the region.
