Two “Army informers”, accused of tipping off security personnel about the presence of “alleged militants” on July 18 this year, leading to the Shopian operation, were produced in a local court in south Kashmir on Tuesday. They were later sent to eight days in judicial remand. The three militants were later found to be civilians.
“The two accused were produced before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Shopian, and were sent to eight days of judicial remand,” an official said.
Police sources said Tabish Ahmad Malik, a farmer from Shopian, and Fayaz Ahmad, a Special Police Officer (SPO) from the Pir Panjal Valley’s Poonch, were arrested and questioned regarding the Amshipora encounter, which left three youth dead in July. After complaints were raised by their families about the missing men, DNA matching by the police confirmed that all three were labourers from Rajouri.
Sources said Mr. Malik lived close to barracks of the Army’s 62 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), which carried out the operation.
The role of the arrested duo is being investigated for “criminal conspiracy” in the case. A third civilian from Pulwama is also under scanner for his role in the alleged fake encounter.
Disciplinary action
The Army has already initiated disciplinary proceedings under the Army Act against those found prima facie responsible for the fake encounter.
Guftar Ahmed, a social activist following the case, said, “The families have high hope that justice will be delivered to them. They also demanded that the bodies of the men [be handed over] for the last rites. These were born in Rajouri, killed in Shopian and buried in Baramulla.”
Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh on Monday said the investigation into the Shopian encounter “is in the final stage”.
“The Senior Superintendent of Police, Shopian, is monitoring the investigation process and further details about the case will be shared,”Mr. Singh said.
