Under the solemn backdrop of her modest, one-story pucca house in Topi Peer in Bafliaz of Poonch district in Jammu Kashmir, a man cradled a young girl adorned in pink. Bearing the weight of profound sorrow on her countenance, she proclaimed with resolute conviction, “The perpetrators took the life of my brother; those responsible must face punishment. The forces are entrusted to safeguard us, not inflict harm. We, four siblings, relied on my brother as the sole provider for our destitute family. Compensation is not our plea; justice is our sole cry.”
Tragedy befell Topi Peer at Poonch when three to four heavily armed militants targeted an Army truck and a Maruti Gypsy late Thursday afternoon.at Dhatyar Morh, between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz in the jurisdiction of the Surankote police station, The ruthless attack claimed the lives of five soldiers and left two injured. Reports emerged that the militants mutilated the bodies of at least two soldiers and seized their weapons, intensifying the horror of the incident.
Government forces responded with an intensified search operation in the region, aiming to address the escalating tension following the deaths of the five army personnel. Meanwhile, the Department of Information and Public Relations, J&K, reported the deaths of the three civilians in Baffliaz of Poonch District. Medico-legal formalities were conducted, and legal action was initiated, with compensation and compassionate appointments announced for the families of the deceased.
Mohammad Sadiq, Panch of Topi Peer ward, expressed the collective grief, stating, “The Army’s presence, interrogations, and subsequent brutality inside the army camp have left us grappling with grief.” He detailed that around 15 individuals were picked up by the forces for questioning- three meeting a fatal end after questioning, and five others injured.
Identified as Safeer Hussain (37), Mohammed Showkat (26), and Shabir Ahmed (32), the three civilians lost their lives on a fateful Friday night, triggering protests in the area as locals demanded justice for the deceased. However, officials remained silent on the matter, leaving the community in a state of anguish.
Despite desperate appeals to authorities, Sadiq’s pleas fell on deaf ears, and the tragedy unfolded. A distressing video surfaced on social media, highlighting the brutality faced by victims. Iltija Mufti of the People’s Democratic Party condemned the actions, demanding accountability.
Following the attack, the area plunged into chaos. The victims, as per the women of the area were subjected to unimaginable brutality, after being hit with spades and crowbars. In a shocking display of cruelty, they (forces) threw chili powder on the civilians and administered electric shocks. The perpetrators, driven by a malevolent intent, not only took lives but stripped the dignity of their victims.
An anguished woman expressed her pain, saying, “As we approached to secure the release of our children, the forces callously declared, ‘We will kill you like Bakerwals,’ using offensive language. At 3 P.M., the bodies were given. Despite our earnest pleas for the safety of our sons, they callously attacked them with spades and crowbars. In a shocking display, they threw chili powder at them and subjected them to electric shocks. Even if they had committed an error, a proportionate punishment would have sufficed; however, they did not deserve such a brutal demise. To silence us, they went so far as to threaten the lives of our children if we dared to raise our voices.”
As the burial of the three civilians took place, unprecedented restrictions were imposed on movement between Buffliaz in Poonch district and the Thamamandi area of Dehra Ki Gali in Rajouri district, said the Panch of the village, adding that, “Mobile internet services were suspended in these two border districts, adding an extra layer of complexity to the grieving process.”
Another mother, overwhelmed with sorrow, recounted, “What shall I say? My son was slaughtered in front of me. They stripped them naked in front of our eyes. My son and my brother were thrown into water tanks, which were electric shocked. Some carried salt and pepper, others batons. We pleaded for our sons’ release, but they abused us instead. They got them out of the water tanks and started beating them again.”
Villagers reported visible signs of torture on the deceased individuals, and unverified graphic videos depicting alleged torture inflicted by security personnel on civilians circulated on social media platforms.
Amidst the anguish, a man’s voice resonated with frustration, “I called the police officials; however, nobody allowed us to move inside the camp where our children were kept.” The intimate proximity of the camp to their homes added a chilling layer to the tragedy. As they sought justice from figures like HM Amit Shah, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and LG Manoj Sinha, their pleas echoed the pain of a community shattered by the unthinkable brutality that had unfolded in the peaceful town of Poonch.
Reports emerged of visible signs of torture on the deceased, and unverified graphic videos circulated, exposing alleged torture inflicted by security personnel. The community, shattered by the traumatic events, now echoes with pleas for justice and accountability.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed unwavering confidence in the Indian Army’s ability to eradicate terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the importance of avoiding mistakes that might harm Indian citizens. His statements followed a disturbing incident in Poonch district where three civilians lost their lives under suspicious circumstances, occurring near the site of an ambush on Army vehicles that claimed the lives of four soldiers and left three injured.
In response to this tragic event, three officers, including the Brigadier in charge of the Poonch district, have been sidestepped and attached to the local unit pending an inquiry. The J&K Police have registered a murder case against unidentified persons in connection with the deaths, intensifying the legal dimension of the situation.
Army Chief General Manoj Pande, recognizing the gravity of the security situation, visited the Poonch sector for updates on Monday. Amidst these developments, six individuals, representing families affected by the alleged custodial killings on December 22, traveled to Rajouri town for a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The families, transported from Topa Pir village near Poonch district’s Bufliaz area, were accompanied by local authorities.
The Defence Minister’s engagement with these grieving families introduces a crucial dimension, emphasizing accountability and transparency.