Army kills released militant in retaliatory fire in Kashmir

Srinagar: A released militant, who had allegedly decamped with a weapon from a police station, was killed in retaliatory fire by Army in south Kashmir district of Anantnag, a police spokesman said here today. He said at about 1720 hrs last evening, an accused, identified as Sajad Malik alias Bita Malik, decamped with an AK rifle along with one magazine from Police Station Dooru in Anantnag district.

After firing some shots near the market, and taking advantage of the darkness, he managed to escape towards Zamalgam, the spokesman said, adding that on way near Cherikari, he fired towards an Army patrol. The fire was retaliated and in the exchange of fire, Malik was killed, police spokesman claimed.

The deceased was a released militant and a history-sheeter. However, the family members and locals alleged that Malik was arrested for taking part in the demonstrations against the government during the unrest in the valley. Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir termed the killing of Malik, a former Congress 'sarpanch' as politically motivated. He demanded a judicial inquiry alleging that it was a clear case of custodial killing and a fake encounter. Mr Mir said people have seen him riding on a motorbike driven by an SPO who later dropped him near Aagnoo village where he was killed by Army.

Despite bail order by the court, police was not releasing him and he had been under detention for more than one-and-a-half months, the PCC chief said and demanded a judicial inquiry so that truth comes to fore,” Mr Mir said, adding that he too had pleaded for his release after he was granted bail. (UNI)