CM Omar Abdullah takes up Baramulla & Kathua incidents with Centre for transparent probe

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 06 (STC): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has taken up two incidents resulting in killing of a truck driver in army firing today in Baramulla and suicide of one in police custody in Billawar, Jammu, with the Union Government. The CM has insisted that both incidents are inquired into in a time bound, transparent manner.
Taking on to micro-blogging platform X, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wrote, ” I have seen the reports of excessive use of force & harassment of Makhan Din in police custody in Billawar leading to his suicide and the death of Waseem Ahmed Malla, shot by the army under circumstances that are not entirely clear.
Both these incidents are highly unfortunate and should not have happened. J&K will never be completely normalised and free of terror without the cooperation of & partnership with the local population. Incidents like these risk alienating the very people who we need to carry with us on the road to complete normalcy.
I have taken up these incidents with the Union Government & insisted that both incidents are inquired into in a time bound, transparent manner. The Government in J&K will also order its own inquiries,” reads the post.
It is worth mentioning that a truck driver from Sopore was killed in a firing incident today after he allegedly ignored security force’s checkpoint (Naka) in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
The deceased has been identified as Waseem Ahmad Mir, son of Abdul Majeed Mir, a resident of Goripora Bomai, Sopore.
Army responded with a statement on the incident. The statement reads:
“On 05 Feb 2025, based on a very specific intelligence input about move of terrorists, a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) was established by Security Forces.
One speeding suspicious civil truck was spotted. When challenged, the truck didn’t stop despite repeated warnings instead accelerated further while crossing the check post. Alert troops pursued the vehicle for over 23 km. Shots were fired aiming on tyres to deflate which forced vehicle to halt at Sangrama Chowk. Consequent to detailed search, the injured driver was immediately evacuated to GMC Baramulla by Security Forces where he was declared dead.”
The statement further states that the fully loaded truck has been sent to nearest police station. Detailed search of the truck in police custody is underway and investigation on antecedents of the suspect is in progress.”
In another incident, one Makhan Din, aged 25 from Perody, Billawar, committed suicide in police custody. (STC)