JAMMU: The Army has launched an inquiry into allegations of torturing four civilians detained for questioning in connection with recent terrorist attacks, including the killing of a JCO and two village defence guards (VDGs), in Kishtwar district of J&K’s Jammu division.
The detained men — Sajad Ahmad, Abdul Kabir, Mushtaq Ahmad, and Mehraj-ud-Din, all residents of Kwath village in Kishtwar — were allegedly beaten up during questioning. “Two of them have bruise marks on their legs and buttocks, caused by repeated flogging, while another has a laceration on his temple. The fourth detainee has a swollen left eye,” a family member alleged Thursday. The men were taken to Kishtwar district hospital for treatment.
The Army’s White Knight Corps addressed the allegations via their X account: “Based on specific intelligence of the move of a group of terrorists in the #Kishtwar Sector, an operation was launched by #RashtriyaRifles on 20 November 2024. There are some reports on the alleged ill-treatment of civilians during the conduct of the operation. An investigation is being launched to ascertain the facts. Necessary follow-up action will be ensured.”
PDP functionary Iltija Mufti condemned the alleged torture on X. “Reports about army officials allegedly torturing five civilians in Kishtwar is yet another distressing example of how certain laws give sweeping powers & impunity to armed forces in J&K…” she wrote.
This is not the first time the Army and govt faced scrutiny over accountability and the treatment of civilians during counter-terrorism operations.
In December last year, three civilians died in custody in Poonch district’s Topa Peer. They had been detained after a terrorist ambush in which three soldiers were killed in Surankote. Public outcry led the J&K govt to announce compensation for the victims’ families, including jobs for their next of kin.
A brigadier-level officer was reassigned and disciplinary action was taken against three officers of 48 Rashtriya Rifles. Defence minister Rajnath Singh visited the families on Dec 27, assuring them that “there will be justice”.