Srinagar- Two separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir—one in Baramulla and the other in Kathua—have sparked controversy, with political leaders demanding investigations into the circumstances of the civilian deaths.
A truck driver was killed in Army firing when he allegedly refused to stop his vehicle at a checkpost in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir despite repeated warnings, officials said on Thursday.
The checkpost was set up at Sangrama Chowk on Wednesday following inputs about the movement of terrorists in the area, they said.
“On 05 Feb 2025, based on a specific intelligence input about the movement of terrorists, a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) was established by Security Forces. One speeding suspicious civil truck was spotted. When challenged, the truck didn’t stop despite repeated warnings and instead accelerated further while crossing the check post,” the Army’s Chinar Corps said in a post on X.
“Alert troops pursued the vehicle for over 23 km. Shots were fired aiming at tyres to deflate which forced vehicles to halt at Sangrama Chowk,” it said.
“Consequent to detailed search, the injured driver was immediately evacuated to GMC Baramulla by Security Forces where he was declared dead,” it added.
The Army said the loaded truck was sent to the nearest police station.
“Detailed search of the truck in police custody is underway and investigation on antecedents of the suspect is in progress,” it said.
The driver has been identified as Waseem Majeed Mir (35), son of Abdul Majeed Mir, resident of Goripora Darpora Bomai Sopore. His family members and relatives on Thursday said that Waseem was innocent and had never taken part in any anti-national activity. They said the authorities must make the CCTV footage viral so that everything will come to light. They have sought the attention of higher authorities and demanded a thorough investigation and justice in this regard.
Meanwhile, Police urged people to Maintain peace and order in the wake of the incident.
In a statement, the police said that it received information that an RR party had established a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) to intercept potential threats.
The spokesman further stated that a suspicious civil truck was spotted moving at high speed. Despite repeated warnings, the vehicle did not stop and instead accelerated past the check post.
Troops pursued the truck for over 23 km and, as per protocol, fired at the tyres to deflate them, forcing the vehicle to halt at Sangrama Chowk, he said.
A detailed search was conducted, and the injured driver was immediately evacuated to GMC Baramulla, where he was declared dead, he said.
FIR has been registered in PS Baramulla. The truck has been moved to the nearest police station for thorough search. Post mortem proceedings have been initiated to ascertain cause of death, he said.
We urge the public to maintain peace and refrain from spreading rumors or misinformation regarding this incident.
A thorough investigation is underway, and all updates will be communicated through official channels. Any attempt to disrupt public order or spread false information will be dealt with strictly, reads the statement.
However, the Army’s account of the shooting has come under scrutiny. Iltija Mufti, daughter of former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, questioned the official version of events.
“How strange that after chasing the truck for over 23 km, they claim to have fired at the tyres but somehow misfired at him instead. Are Kashmiri lives so cheap? How long will you justify this unbridled impunity by pointing everyone with the needle of suspicion?” she wrote on X.
In another incident, a 25-year-old civilian, Makhan Din from Perody, Billawar, was found dead in Kathua after reportedly being tortured in police custody.
Locals alleged that Din had been detained on suspicion of links with militants and subjected to severe physical and mental abuse. They claimed he had even recorded a video inside a mosque, swearing that he had no knowledge of militant activity in the area.
The police have not yet issued an official statement on the circumstances of his death, but the incident has triggered widespread concern.
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, in a post on X, alleged that Din was falsely accused of being an Over Ground Worker (OGW) and tortured into making a forced confession.
“He was reportedly subjected to brutal thrashing and torture, forced into a confession, and tragically found dead today. The area has been sealed off, and internet services have been cut, leading to widespread panic. There’s an ongoing crackdown, with more individuals being picked up. This incident appears to follow a troubling pattern of targeting innocent youths on fabricated charges. I urge the Director General of Police to initiate an immediate investigation,” Mufti wrote.
Bukahri said the incident needs to be thoroughly investigated.
“My deepest sympathies are with the bereaved family of truck driver Waseem Majeed Mir from Goripora Bumia in Sopore, who was killed in a firing incident at a checkpoint in Baramulla. Initial reports suggest that he was driving his truck carrying apple boxes, when he failed to comply with a signal from the security forces, who wanted him to stop at the Naka.
“This incident requires a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances under which this unfortunate event occurred. May Almighty Allah grant the departed soul eternal peace and give his bereaved family the strength to endure this profound loss,” Bukhari said in a post on X.
Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra also condemned the killing as “very fortunate and a matter of grave concern.”
He said such incidents are detrimental to peace initiatives, attributing to fear psychosis in the society.
“Killing of Innocent persons is barbaric, inhuman and unacceptable in a civilized society. Government should look into the matter very seriously and ensure that no innocent life is lost,” he said in a written statement.
Karra urged the government to order a judicial probe into the incident.
The JKPCC president also condemned the death of Makhan Din of Perody (Kathua) in police custody.
Karra urged the government to bring the facts out and ensure justice to Makhan Din’s family.
“Though the magisterial enquiry has been ordered into the incident, it should be time bound, ensuring that justice is delivered to the family of the deceased Makhan Din,” Karra added.
The twin incidents have reignited concerns over alleged human rights violations in the region. With both cases under investigation, families of the deceased and political leaders are demanding transparency and accountability in the probe.
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