J&K encounter: Mufti says far from the truth

Srinagar: A day after J&K Police said that three militants including a top commander affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF) militant outfit were killed in Srinagar, People Democratic Party Chief and former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said, “Doubts are looming over its authenticity” of the “alleged encounter”. J&K Police on Wednesday had said that three militants were killed in the “encounter” in the Rambagh area and one of the slain was a top TRF commander and involved in the recent militant attacks in the city.

“After yesterday’s alleged encounter at Rambagh legitimate doubts are looming over its authenticity. As per reports & witnesses it seems that the firing was one-sided. Again the official version far from the truth is not in line with ground realities as seen in Shopian, HMT & Hyderpora,” Mufti wrote on Twitter.

The fresh shootout in the city took place days after a controversial “encounter” at the Hydepora area, in which families of three out of four people killed, denied that their kin had any links with militancy.

The encounter triggered a massive controversy and protest in the Valley, forcing authorities to return the dead bodies of two men, who were buried in North Kashmir by the authorities.

On Thursday, parts of the old city also observed a shutdown against the killings. Officials said mobile internet was suspended in a parts of the old city to maintain law and order.

‘Strong evidence against killers’

J&K police chief, Dilbag Singh Thursday said some people “have started looking at the killers as innocent people.” He said Wednesday’s encounter has brought relief to those who lost their dear ones in the militant killings. “... Unfortunately, there are people, who have started looking at the killers as innocent... There are very strong evidence available in this case which will be shared very soon.