Controversy over Army claim on militants

Controversy over Army claim on militants
UNITED NEWS OF INDIA

JAMMU, MARCH 30: A controversy has erupted over the Army's claim of having eliminated the perpetrators of the Chattisinghpora massacre with some locals claiming that innocents have been killed and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah assuring the Assembly that a Director General of Police-level inquiry would be held into the incident.

The army had stated that five militants had been killed at Pathribal in Chatergul valley of Anantnag. These militants were said to be responsible for the killing of of 35 sikhs in Chattisinghpora last week.

The issue was raised in the Assembly and Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami CPI (M) demanded the government come out with the facts. He also called for taking the local people into confidence before undertaking counter-insurgency operations.

Dr Farooq Abdullah said he had directed DGP gurbachan jagat and ADGP-CID R K Tikku to inquire into the incident adding they had already left for the spot. The Chief Minister said he would make a detailed statement in the Assembly Friday.

Meanwhile, sources said demonstrators in Anantnag, claiming that two of those killed by the Army were innocent, demanded exhuming of the bodies for verification. A bandh was being observed in Anantnag and the situation was said to be tense but under control.