Army Capt staged encounter for Rs 20 lakh prize money: Cops

Shopian, January 10

The Army Captain, involved in the alleged fake encounter in Shopian in July last year in which three youths were killed, had hatched a conspiracy along with two civilians to “grab” the reward money of Rs 20 lakh and also fired at the victims even before his men could lay a cordon, said a police chargesheet.

Capt Bhupinder Singh, currently in the custody of the Army, was likely to face court-martial proceedings, said sources. The case relates to the encounter at Amshipora in Shopian on July 18 last year in which three youths of Rajouri district — Imtiyaz Ahmed, Abrar Ahmed and Mohammed Ibrar — were killed and branded as terrorists. The chargesheet submitted before the Chief Judicial Magistrate of the district also details the role of the two civilians — Tabish Nazir and Bilal Ahmed Lone — in the case. Lone has since turned an approver and recorded his confessional statement before a magistrate.

After reports emerged on social media that the three youths were not associated with terrorism, the Army had ordered a Court of Inquiry, which completed its probe in September. It had found “prima facie” evidence that the troops had “exceeded” the powers granted under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

Following this, the Army had initiated disciplinary proceedings against the officer. The chargesheet submitted by the Special Investigation Team of J&K Police has listed 75 witnesses in support of its findings and has also provided technical evidence, including call data records, of the accused persons. — PTI

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