Hyderpora encounter: SIT rules out foul play by security forces

Srinagar, December 28

The special investigation team (SIT) of the J&K Police, probing the Hyderpora encounter, on Tuesday said while one civilian was killed by the foreign terrorist, the owner of the building and a local militant died in the crossfire after being used as a human shield by the hiding ultra.

A Pakistani terrorist and three other persons were killed in Hyderpora on November 15 and the police claimed that all the slain men had links to militancy. The families of the three, alleging foul play, had claimed that they were innocent, prompting the police to order the inquiry.

On Tuesday, SIT head DIG Sujith K virtually gave a clean chit to the security forces but added the team was open to reviewing its findings if any other evidence came to light.

“Our investigation so far has revealed that Dr Mudasir Gul was killed by the foreign terrorist hiding inside the building as his body was recovered from the attic. The security forces did not go to the attic at all during searches or subsequent operation, “ head of the SIT, DIG Sujith K Singh, told reporters here.

Giving details of the investigation, Singh said the probe had revealed that Amir Magray, the employee of Dr Gul, was closely associated with the foreign terrorist — Bilal Bhai — who was killed in the operation while trying to flee. “Mohammad Altaf Bhat (building owner) and Amir were killed in the crossfire with security forces as they were used as a human shield by the foreign terrorist. It is substantiated by the fact the Altaf fell (after being hit by bullets) outside the door, while Amir had managed to run a few more steps and the foreign terrorist’s body was found 83 feet away,” he said. The officer said besides examining the CCTV footage and call detail records, the SIT has also examined more than 20 witnesses so far.

“Statements of six of these witnesses have been recorded before the magistrate at well,” he added. Asked why the civilians were sent in for house searches if the security forces had information about the presence of terrorists inside, the officer said Bhat had volunteered to go inside as “he was very sure that there was no one hiding inside”.

Asked if the police disclosure about the investigations could preempt the magisterial probe ordered by the UT government, IGP (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar said the inquiry was already complete. — PTI

Probe findings

• All four, including a Pakistan militant, killed in Hyderpora encounter on November 15 had links with terrorism, say police.
• The foreign terrorist had killed a civilian while the building owner and a local ultra were killed in the crossfire after the hiding terrorist used them as human shield.

It’s repetition of old story, says PAGD’s Tarigami

• n The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) has said the police briefing is just a repetition of the old story.
• n Demanding a judicial inquiry, it said there was a strong public perception that those killed were made human shields by security men.
• n PAGD spokesman MY Tarigami says it will not suffice the concerns of the people at large and kin of the slain victims.