Omar Abdullah led J-K government’s first inquiry commission on the recent case of civilian killing has heavily indicted the Army for “killing two civilians”, saying that the Army “opened fire and killed two civilians without any provocation” and “the Army action was not only disproportionate but breached all operational procedures.” The report also rubbishes Army’s claim of cross firing.

The report was submitted by Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla Baseer Ahmad Khan who led an inquiry commission ordered by the government soon after two youth were killed by Army at Bomai on February 21. After a detailed investigation the report was submitted to the Chief Secretary, S S Kapoor. The report is likely to be submitted to the Chief Minister on Thursday. All eyes are now set on Abdullah as he has promised severe punishment to the guilty.

Two civilians, Muhammed Amin Tantray and Javid Ahmed Dar were killed when troops of 22 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) opened fire on devotees at Bomai village. The incident sparked massive protests across the valley and soon after the killing of two civilians by Army J-K Chief Minister Abdullah ordered a magisterial inquiry into the firing and set a 15-day deadline for submitting the report.

The Army too had ordered a separate probe into killing of two civilians and it had appointed a Brigadier as the inquiry officer. A murder case was also registered against the Army unit by the J-K Police.

Sources said that Baseer Ahmad Khan, who led the inquiry commission to probe the killing of two civilians in Bomai village in the outskirts of Sopore town, in his report has mentioned there was “no crossfire as claimed by the Army.”

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