Student killed during Army’s ambush operation in Kupwara

A student was killed allegedly during an ambush by the Army in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, following which a murder case was registered on Saturday against the unit which carried out the operation.

Manzoor Ahmad Magray, 22, was shot dead by the troopers of 4 Para of the Army, who had laid an ambush last night in Chogal area of Handwara town, 85 kms from here, in Kupwara district, officials said.

The killing triggered protests in Chogal as residents demanded arrest of the Army personnel involved in the incident, they said.

The family members of the youth alleged that he was taken out of the house by the soldiers and severely tortured, resulting in his death.

The protesters relented only after top civil and police officials assured the residents that a case will be filed against the concerned Army unit.

Later, a case under section 302 Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) was registered against the 4 Para unit of the Army, sources said adding the residents then laid Magray’s body to rest.

Regretting the loss of life in the operation, Defence spokesman Lt Col J. S. Brar said in a statement that based on specific intelligence about movement of militants, Army troops had laid an ambush last night to trap them.

At around 2230 hours, the troops detected suspicious movement of two persons towards the ambush.

“As per the Standing Operative Procedures, the troops challenged the individuals to surrender. Both the individuals paid no heed and attempted to run away under the cover of darkness. The troops opened fire resulting in fatal injuries to Manzoor Ahmad Magray while the other unidentified person escaped,” Col Brar said.

Although the troops strictly adhered to the procedures, the Army regrets the loss of life, more so, as the year has been declared by the Army as the year of the ‘Kashmiri Awam’, he said.

“We deeply and sincerely express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family,” he said.

Meanwhile, condemning the killing of the youth, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the incident could have been avoided if a “suggestion” made by him at a meeting of the Unified Headquarters had been implemented.

He, however, did not elaborate as to what the suggestion was.

This is second incident of a civilian getting killed in Kupwara district in as many months. An unidentified youth was allegedly shot dead by security forces at Warnaw in Lolab area of Kupwara on January 4.