A civilian was shot dead by the Army in north Kashmir’s Baramulla after allegedly speeding away from a checkpoint on Thursday (February 6, 2025). In Jammu’s Kathua, a civilian was found dead after allegedly facing torture in the police custody.
An official identified the victim as Waseem Ahmad Mir, son of Abdul Majeed Mir, a resident of Goripora Bomai in Baramulla’s Sopore.
The Army, in a statement, said, “On February 5, 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 instead accelerated further while crossing the check post.”
The Army said alert troops pursued the vehicle for over 23 km. “Shots were fired aiming on tyres to deflate which forced the vehicle to halt at Sangrama Chowk. Consequent to a detailed search, the injured driver was immediately evacuated to Government Medical College, Baramulla, by security forces where he was declared dead.”
The Army said the fully loaded truck had been 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,” the Army added.
The J&K police said it has lodged a first information report (FIR) at the Baramulla Police Station. “The truck has been moved to the nearest police station for a thorough search. Post-mortem proceedings have been initiated to ascertain the cause of death,” the police said.
The police urged the public to maintain peace and refrain from spreading rumours or misinformation regarding this incident. “Any attempt to disrupt public order or spread false information will be dealt with strictly,” the police said.
In Jammu’s Kathua, a civilian, who allegedly faced torture in police custody, was found dead on Thursday (February 6, 2025).
According to locals, Makhan Din, 25, from Perody, Billawar, was beaten up and mentally tortured in the custody of the police over having links with the militants.
They claimed he had even made a video inside a mosque where he swore that he had never seen a militant in the area. The civilian was found dead on Thursday (February 6, 2025). The police have not issued any statement on the circumstances under which the civilian was found dead.
Former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, in a post on X, said Din was detained by the SHO of Billawar on false charges of being an Over Ground Worker (OGW).
“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.”
Ms. Mufti’s daughter Iltija Mufti has questioned the Army’s version of the civilian killing in Baramuula’s Sopore. “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?”
