Political parties in Jammu Kashmir voiced strong protests on Saturday, calling for an impartial investigation into the reported deaths of three civilians allegedly detained by the Army in Poonch for questioning. Safeer Hussain (43), Mohammad Showket (27), and Shabir Ahmad (32) were among eight individuals picked up by the Army in connection with Thursday’s attack.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration responded by announcing compensation and job opportunities for the families of the three civilians found dead near the site of an anti-militancy operation in the Poonch district.
Mehbooba Mufti, president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stated that 15 people were taken in by the Army for questioning, with three fatalities and the others seriously injured. She demanded a thorough inquiry into the matter and urged the administration to provide Rs 50 lakh each as compensation for the families of the three deceased.
“I request the Lieutenant Governor that until an inquiry is done into the matter, the three families be provided with a relief of Rs 50 lakh each, and the injured admitted to hospitals be provided Rs 5 lakh each. Their families are very poor,” she said.
Mehbooba also referenced a video purportedly showing Army personnel mistreating some suspects, expressing concern over its authenticity.
Activists of the Apni Party and the National Conference (NC) also protested against the civilian deaths, with the NC demanding an inquiry to “stop the bloodshed of innocents.” The CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami called for a prompt and impartial inquiry into the mysterious deaths of the three persons near the encounter spot in Poonch, condemning both the civilian deaths and the militant attack that claimed the lives of five soldiers.