‘AFSPA powers exceeded, COAS guidelines contravened’
Army to initiate disciplinary proceedings against guilty under Army Act
Umar Rashid
SRINAGAR, Sep 18: The Army has concluded its inquiry in Amshipora-Shopian encounter in which three ‘persons’ were killed by the army allegedly affiliated with militant organization.
Now in its findings the army has identified the persons killed in the encounter as Imtiyaz Ahmed, Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Ibrar.
“The evidence collected by the inquiry has prima-facie indicated that the three unidentified terrorists killed in Op Amshipora were Imtiyaz Ahmed, Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Ibrar, who hailed from Rajouri,” the statement issued by the army has said.
According to the statement issued here, the army has inquiry has found that during the Amshipora encounter, powers vested under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) were exceeded and Do’s and Don’ts Chief of Army Staff (COAS) as approved by the Hon’ble Supreme Court have been contravened.
“The inquiry ordered by the Army authorities into operation Amshipora has been concluded. The inquiry has brought out certain prima facie evidence indicating that during the operation, powers vested under the AFSPA 1990 were exceeded and the Do’s and Don’ts of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) as approved by the Hon’ble Supreme Court have been contravened.”
Army statement adds that consequently, the competent disciplinary authority has directed to initiate disciplinary proceedings under the Army Act against those found prima-facie answerable. “Their (slain persons) DNA report is awaited. Their involvement with terrorism or related activities is under investigation by the police. Indian Army is committed to ethical conduct of operations. Further updates on the case will be given periodically without affecting due process of the law of the land.” Pertinently, the families of three Rajouri labourers who had gone missing in Shopian had claimed that they were not involved in any kind of militant activity and were killed in cold blooded murder.
