Army orders high-level enquiry into alleged fake encounter in Kashmir

Army today ordered a high-level enquiry into the alleged fake encounter in which three youths were killed on April 30 and said that proceedings will be "judiciously expedited".

"Based on the preliminary report of the Machhil encounter, received from Jammu and Kashmir police late evening on 29 May, a high-level enquiry has been ordered by the army," a defence spokesman said.

He said the enquiry will investigate all allegations, based on the report submitted by the police and efforts were on to "recall" the witnesses as their unit has been de-inducted.

"We will judiciously expedite the proceedings as promised," spokesman Lt Col JS Brar said. 

"The only delay we foresee is the recalling of the witnesses who are involved in the incident as the unit has de-inducted after competing its mandated tenure. However, efforts to get them back have already been initiated", he said.

Army had on April 30 claimed that they killed three unidentified infiltrators in Machhil sector when they sneaked into this side from across the border. However, relatives claimed that they were three youths who were missing since April 27.

Their bodies were exhumed on Friday and identified by the relatives. Authorities handed them over for last rites after taking DNA samples.

A former special police officer and two others including a jawan of territorial army have been arrested for allegedly luring the three youths to the Line of Control.

The trio were buried in the local graveyard in Nadihal-Rafiabad, 65 km from here, yesterday. 

Chief minister Omar Abdullah had ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. Defence minister AK Antony had yesterday said that the army will cooperate in the probe and the guilty will not be spared.