Kashmir’s Poonch district is experiencing unrest at the moment after a video of villagers belonging to the Gujjar-Bakarwal community being brutally beaten and tortured by some unidentified soldiers from the Indian Army went viral. The Sarpanch of that village has confirmed that of the 8 villagers who were taken away by the Army for questioning on the basis of suspicion of involvement in the deaths of 4 soilders that happened last Thursday, 3 have been killed due to custodial torture.
Background to the attacks that took place on the Army last week in Poonch:
The Poonch District of Kashmir is experiencing tension following the deaths of soilders in a terrorist attack on December 21. About four soldiers were killed and three were injured when ambushed terrorists targeted two army vehicles on Bafliaz-Thanamadi Road. After this incident, a massive counter-terrorism operation was launched in Poonch. However, it appeared that the terrorists were able to escape, taking advantage of the dense forests and treacherous terrain of that area. The terrorist group Peoples Anti-Fascist Front, also known as PAFF, a front for Jaish e. Mohammed, claimed responsibility for this attack and also released pictures as further proof.
Aftermath events after the attacks that took place on the Army last week in Poonch:
Following this attack on December 21, the army took eight villagers from a nearby village last Friday into their custody on the grounds of possible involvement in this attack. These arrests had led to the development of a feeling of unrest among the villagers. This was further exacerbated on December 25, when a video of these men being brutally tortured by unidentified soldiers started circulating online. Soon after this, the news of the deaths of three civilians in custody came in, which led to widespread unrest and anger all over Poonch.
Details of the three civilians who have died in the custody of the Army in Poonch:
Mehmood Ahmed, the village’s sarpanch, has identified Shabbir and Showkat from that video. Mohammad Siddique, who is the uncle of Mohammad Showkat, has also identified that in the video, it was his nephew who was begging a soldier who was beating with a stick to let him go with folded hands. He also said that the lifeless person in black clothing, who can be seen in the video, was Shabir, and his brother happens to be a head constable serving the Border Security Force.
He also identified the third person in that video wearing a red t-shirt as 16-year-old Irfan Ahmad. Mohammad Siddique also noted that this whole incident has sent a shock wave through the Gujjar-Bakarwal community-based village.
After these videos were released by unknown sources, they triggered massive protests in Srinagar. In the circulating video, soldiers can be seen brutally beating the captive men and throwing chilli powder on their bare buttocks.
Steps being taken after the incident involving the deaths of the three civilians in Poonch:
After this incident, the Union Home Ministry has announced that a compensation of Rs 10 lakh will be provided to the families of all three deceased people. This Sunday night, it was reported by The Hindu that an FIR under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (murder) has been filed by the local police against those unidentified people in the video. The Army has also undertaken this matter under its investigation, and it has stated that it will remain “committed to extending full support and cooperation in the conduct of investigations.” However, the locals believe that the bond between them and the Army has been affected by this incident and will take a long time to rebuild.
After this incident, the Brigadier, who was overlooking the 13 Sector Rashtriya Rifles and was in charge of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir, has been moved out pending an investigation into the purported torture videos and deaths of the three civilians. It is being said that a new officer from Kashmir has instead taken over the command of the 13-Sector Rashtriya Rifles.
Nationwide condemnation of the deaths of three civilians killed in Poonch:
The National Conference and Apni party members have held protests against civilian killings in Poonch and have demanded justice for all the victims.
Mehbooba Mufti who is the former chief minister and PDP leader, in a press conference condemned the killing of the three men in Poonch. She claimed that all the claims of ‘Khushal Kashmir’ are baseless, as neither soldiers of the Army nor civilians are safe here.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, in reference to the recent events, said that asking for a transparent inquiry and punishment for any violations of human rights seems pointless at that moment as the perpetrators have not been caught and are roaming freely.
The Communist Party of India has also strongly condemned the killing of the three civilians in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir while they were under the custody of the army. They said that merely announcing compensation for the families of the deceased is not enough. The party demanded that a speedy investigation and punishment be held to catch those who are responsible.
