Jammu, August 29
The commander of the Northern Command, Lt-Gen Hari Prasad, said today that there was no record of any such encounter in Gurez sector of Kashmir in which four porters of Jammu were alleged to be shot by certain Army personnel to bag awards, but added that an inquiry had been ordered into the matter.

General Prasad, who was talking to mediapersons here, said all Army officers named in the anonymous complaint had been posted out so that the probe was not influenced. However, no leniency would be shown to anyone in case the complaint was found correct.

He said the Army generally does not take any action on anonymous letters, but as the matter was serious an inquiry had been ordered.

However, he added that the available record indicates that no such encounter was reported during the period that has been mentioned in the letter. Two local terrorists were killed in an encounter and their bodies handed over to their relatives.

Talking about the other controversial issue of water being supplied to the Army in Leh instead of petrol and diesel, he said there was certainly laxity on the part of certain Army officers, but probe was being done by the Army and the police in the matter. Some army officers have already been suspended in this regard.

General Hari Prasad, who is retiring on August 31, said terrorism had reduced tremendously. About 1,500 terrorists were operating in the state at the moment, he added.

Jammu, August 29
A Senior Superintendent of Police, his wife and four personal security officers were today booked by the police in connection with the murder of a youth in Jammu who married the SSP’s daughter.

The police has registered an FIR against SSP Karnail Singh at present posted as Deputy Commandant, 6th Battalion of Indian Reserve Police, his wife, four PSOs and civilian Serwan Kumar for murder of Nitin Sharma, a mechanic, here on August 25, police sources said.

PSO Naresh Kumar and Serwan Kumar have been arrested in this connection, they said, adding that Naresh Kumar, during interrogation, had confessed to the crime and also disclosed the names of other PSOs allegedly involved.

According to the sources, Naresh claimed that he was promised promotion by the SSP for such an act.

Nitin, a mechanic here, had married the SSP’s daughter after a six-year old relationship in a court five months ago, the sources said, adding that the documents had been processed.

He was allegedly kidnapped by five persons led by Serwan Kumar in an Ambassador car on August 25, they said, adding that the police had seized the vehicle.

After his kidnapping, Nitin was done to death. — PTI