Relatives, villagers record statements as Ganderbal encounter probe continues

Relatives and villagers on Monday recorded their statements in the inquiry into the death of a Ganderbal man who was described as a “terrorist” by the Army following an “encounter” last week in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday ordered a “thorough and impartial” magisterial probe into the incident. The L-G directed that the inquiry be completed within seven days and the report be submitted to the Home Department, which functions under him.

The Army has claimed that the man killed in the encounter in Arhama forests on March 31 — identified as Ganderbal resident Rashid Ahmad Mughal — was a terrorist.

The encounter has snowballed into a major controversy after the family of the deceased denied any militant links. The family from Chountwaliwar in Ganderbal district said the deceased was innocent, with “no links to militancy.”

On Monday, family members of the slain Rashid Mughal said they recorded their statements before the inquiry officer.

“Around 30–40 people from the village, including family members, went to Ganderbal today and recorded their statements, sharing whatever we knew,” said Rashid’s uncle, Ghulam Rasool.

He said the family is awaiting justice and that the inquiry should be completed soon so that those responsible face strict action.

Jammu and Kashmir Police are questioning several people to investigate the circumstances leading to the incident. Police have also questioned the slain man’s brother and many others to gather details.

An officer said investigators are also examining how the Army received the tip-off and how the deceased reached the spot where the encounter took place.