Srinagar: The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, has directed a magisterial investigation into the recent encounter in Ganderbal district that resulted in the death of an alleged militant.
The incident, which took place in the Arhama area during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, has sparked debate after the family of the deceased, identified as Rashid Ahmad Mughal, claimed he had no links to any militant activity.
Announcing the decision on social media, Sinha stated that the inquiry would be conducted in a fair and comprehensive manner, examining every aspect of the operation to ensure accountability and transparency.
The move follows concerns raised by several political leaders, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, who called for a detailed and time-bound probe into the circumstances surrounding the encounter.
Abdullah emphasised that the family’s claims should be taken seriously and not dismissed without scrutiny, warning that any delay or lack of clarity in the investigation could undermine public trust.
Officials have indicated that the inquiry will seek to establish the sequence of events leading up to the encounter and verify whether standard procedures were followed by the security forces.
The development comes amid heightened sensitivity around counter-insurgency operations in the region, with authorities under pressure to ensure transparency while maintaining security.
