Srinagar, November 26
A court here held the Army prima facie, responsible for the killing of four teenaged boys at Doodipora in Kupwara district of north Kashmir on February 22 early this year.

Passing the orders in the case, District and Sessions Judge, Srinagar, Syed Tariq Ahmed Naqshbandi, said on February 22 this year at 1 p.m. when 20 boys were playing cricket on the banks of a Tulri Nullah in the Doodipora village, troops of 33 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) surrounded the hamlet and detained the residents in their houses and a mosque.

He said the Army personnel allegedly resorted to indiscriminate firing on the boys in an “unrelated” militancy incident, resulting in an on-the-spot death of one of the boys, identified as Abdul Samad (22 years).

During firing, the Judge said the other boys ran for safety and as they were trying to cross the Nullah, the RR troops fired at them, resulting in the death of three more children, identified as Ghulam Hassan Bhat (18), Shakir Hassan Wani (10) and Aamir (9).

He observed excessive firing, without any provocation or any justification, was allegedly resorted to by the Army personnel and they also prevented the SHO of the Handwara Police Station and his team from going near the site of the incident.

“There is prime-facie material against the 33 RR Captain and his personnel for the incident of firing, resulting in the death of four innocent boys,” the Judge said.

“It is necessary to inquire into the conduct of the Captain and the other personnel of 33 RR (defendants). They are called upon to appear to explain their conduct, and also submit statements in defence if any, on December 11,” the Judge added. — UNI

Srinagar, November 26
Three security personnel and a militant were killed while a self-styled battalion commander of the pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen was arrested across the Kashmir valley overnight, an official spokesman said today.

Meanwhile, a gunbattle was on between militants and security forces at Neiji in the Pampore area of Pulwama district in south Kashmir since this afternoon.

The spokesman said a Special Police Officer and two security personnel were killed in an encounter at Rampora in the Bandipora area of Baramula district last evening.

Five security personnel and a civilian were also wounded in the gunfight, he added.

A militant was killed by security forces at Shallatoo village in the Shopian area of Pulwama district last night. An AK rifle and a magazine were seized.

A self-styled battalion commander of the pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen was apprehended with a hand grenade at Botengoo in Anantnag district of south Kashmir yesterday.

Meanwhile, in extensive search operations across the valley, security forces busted three militant hideouts, including a natural cave, and seized huge cache of arms and ammunition besides war-like equipment, the police said today.

During a search operation near Sotur village in Pulwama district of south Kashmir, the security forces busted militant hideout in a cave covered by boulders from which 10 UBGL grenades, 90 AK rounds, three AK magazines, four hand grenades, one radio set and yellow powder for making explosive devices were seized.

In another search operation near Kangan village, one AK rifle, two magazines and 60 rounds were seized at an underground hideout.

Security forces seized four UBGL grenades, one IED, pressure cooker along with a large quantity of ration, medicines and equipment near Satro in Baramula district of north Kashmir, the police said. — UNI