Lieutenant governor orders magisterial probe into Ganderbal ‘encounter’, seeks report within seven days

SRINAGAR: The lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, on Friday ordered a magisterial inquiry into a recent encounter in Ganderbal district and sought a report within seven days.

The Army had claimed on April 1 that an unidentified terrorist was killed in the operation at Arhama the previous night, while the slain person’s family denied any terror links and demanded a probe.

“I have ordered a thorough and impartial magisterial inquiry into the Arhama, Ganderbal incident. The inquiry will examine all aspects related to the incident and ensure that justice is served,” Sinha wrote on X.

The order, marked “confidential” and “urgent”, was issued by the home department, which functions under the LG. In the order, the Ganderbal district magistrate has been directed to ascertain the facts and circumstances leading to the death of Rashid Ahmad Mughal, 28, by getting “a thorough and impartial magisterial inquiry conducted”. The inquiry may be completed within seven days, and the report may be submitted to the home department, the order states.

Rashid’s elder brother, Ajaz Ahmad Mughal, on Thursday, alleged that he was killed in a “fake encounter”, and filed a complaint with the police seeking an FIR and investigation.

J&K Police have not made any statement regarding the matter so far.

After Ajaz disputed the Army’s statement related to the encounter, chief minister Omar Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti also sought an inquiry.

“I believe the family’s claim should not be dismissed out of hand. At the very least, this encounter needs a transparent & time bound probe with the facts made public. Any attempt to obfuscate or delay the announcement of a probe will only damage credibility & that is not in anyone’s interest,” Omar, who is the MLA from Ganderbal constituency, wrote on X.





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