M A I N   N E W S

Pahalgam rape: BSF men ‘not to be spared’

New Delhi, April 20
The Centre today said exemplary action would be taken against the three Border Security Force (BSF) jawans accused of raping a 17-year-old girl in the Khullar Nad area of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, if the charges against them were established.

Taking a serious view in its first reaction on the incident, the Home Ministry said the inquiry would be thorough, fair and expeditious.

Apart from a police inquiry being conducted by a DSP, the BSF has simultaneously instituted a Staff Court of Inquiry. An SP-level (Commandant BSF) officer from a unit other than the one to which the accused belong is conducting the inquiry.

A report had been filed in the Pahalgam police station, The three were taken into police custody and placed under closed arrest after the BSF unit made available the whole contingent of their patrol for identification parade, according to a statement issued by the ministry.

The Home Ministry has reiterated the existing instructions to the Central paramilitary forces to ensure that the security forces desist from any human rights violations during their operations in J and K.

According to a report from Srinagar, a BSF spokesman said, “We have already initiated proceedings against them after placing them under suspension which will be followed by a court martial.”

The BSF jawans belonging to the 58 Batallion allegedly gangraped the girl on Tuesday morning. The villagers took to the street and demanded stern action against those involved in the crime. The medical examination confirmed the rape.

The All-Party Hurriyat Conference and several other separatist organistions condemned the incident. The Hurriyat Conference alleged that security forces were using rape and killings in custody as a weapon to suppress the ongoing movement in the valley.

SRINAGAR: Six militants and two security personnel were killed in a fierce encounter in the border district of Rajouri in the Jammu region on Saturday, official sources said.

The encounter broke out when the security forces confronted a group of militants at Rani Badehtar village in Chingus sector early today, they said.

The militants were asked to surrender, but they opened fire and in the ensuing gunfight six unidentified ultras and two security personnel were killed, the sources said.

Meanwhile, a report from Baramula said a soldier and a militant were among four persons killed, while the house of the ruling National Conference’ Kupwara district president was attacked by ultras in the valley.

Two jawans were injured by militants in south Kashmir today.

Official sources said militants lobbed grenades and fired from automatic weapons on a patrol party of security forces at Neelipora Magam in north Kashmir late last night. PTI, UNI