Former chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Friday demanded a high level probe by a Special Investigation team (SIT) into the death of three youths in a clash with Army personnel in Shopian district of South Kashmir on 27 January.

Omar while speaking in the Legislative Assembly said two FIRs, one by the police and a counter FIR by the Army have been filed and there was a need for an SIT to probe the matter.

The Army had opened fire in self-defence when a violent stone-pelting mob allegedly tried to lynch a Junior commissioned officer (JCO) who fell unconscious after a stone hit his head. Seven jawans were also injured. Eight civilians were injured when the Army personnel opened fire to prevent the mob from setting on fire the vehicles of the Army convoy, passing through the area.

Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti had ordered a magisterial enquiry into the incident, while the police registered a FIR against major of the 10 Garhwal Rifles. Thereafter, the Army filed a counter FIR wherein it stated that the firing was done in self-defence.

Omar said that a high-level SIT should be constituted to clear the air as the matter has got complicated with different versions about the incident.

Omar criticised the Mehbooba-led PDP-BJP government for denying compensation to Farooq Dar who was tied to the bonnet of a jeep by an Army officer last year during the by-election for Srinagar Lok Sabha seat.

Omar said the Army officer was awarded for the act and added, “how do you expect us to trust that you (Mehbooba) for your assurance of a logical conclusion in the Shopian incident”.
BJP legislators demanded withdrawal of FIR against the Army personnel, and that a case be registered against the stone-pelters.

Reacting to Omar’s demand, Jammu and Kashmir’s deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh said, “The former chief minister’s demand is unfortunate. The Army personnel, who are making sacrifices for country, have every right to approach law. They are demanding that they (Army) should be hanged for filing a counter FIR but do not utter a word against stone-pelters”.