Srinagar: Jammu & Kashmir Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari on Saturday demanded a probe into the mysterious deaths of three civilians near the site of an ambush on Army vehicles in Jammu’s Poonch district.
Bukhari urged Home Minister Amit Shah to order an immediate investigation to bring to fore the facts to clear the mystery around these deaths.
On Friday, three civilians were found dead under suspicious circumstances in Bufliaz village in the Poonch district of Jammu, a day after four soldiers were killed when militants ambushed two army vehicles in the area.
The deceased, identified as Mohammed Safeer, Riyaz Hussain, and Shokat Hussain, were among the several people reportedly picked up for questioning in connection with Thursday’s attack.
The police or army have not issued any statement on the mysterious deaths that triggered tension in Poonch.
“While I unreservedly condemn the terrorist attack on security forces in Surankote Poonch (DKG), which left five of our soldiers dead and two others under treatment for their injuries, I am, however, quite shocked to hear about the disturbing news regarding the mysterious death of four civilians around the site of an ongoing anti-terror operation,” Bukahri said in a post on X.
“I strongly condemn the killings of innocent civilians and urge Home Minister Amit Shah Ji to order an immediate investigation to bring to fore the facts to clear the mystery around these deaths and take strict action against the involved security forces, be it the army or police,” he added.
Bukhari also reacted to the circulation of videos purportedly showing the beating of civilians.
“I am ashamed to see the viral pictures of the local people, where one can see the civilians being beaten mercilessly. Unfortunately, once again, the people of J&K are being made sitting ducks for the security forces, and I feel that we have not learnt anything from our past mistakes. Such incidents should not be tolerated at any cost,” Bukahri said.
