Srinagar, Feb 06 : A truck driver from Sopore was killed in a firing incident after he allegedly ignored a security forces’ checkpoint (Naka) in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday.
An official informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the incident occurred when a vehicle carrying apple boxes was signalled to stop at the Naka set up by security forces in Baramulla. The vehicle, however, failed to comply with the order, following which the security forces opened fire, resulting in injuries to the driver, who was shifted to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, he 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 have taken cognisance of the incident and started an investigation.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he has taken up this issue alongside Billawar incident with the Union Government and insisted that both incidents be inquired into in a time-bound, transparent manner.
“I have seen the reports of excessive use of force and harassment of Makhan Din in police custody in Billawar leading to his suicide and the death of Waseem Ahmed Malla, shot by the army under circumstances that are not entirely clear. Both these incidents are highly unfortunate and should not have happened,” Abdullah said in a post on ‘X’, adding, “J&K will never be completely normalised and free of terror without the cooperation and partnership of the local population. “Incidents like these risk alienating the very people we need to carry with us on the road to complete normalcy,” he said, adding, “I have taken up these incidents with the Union Government and insisted that both be inquired into in a time-bound, transparent manner. The Government in J&K will also order its own inquiries.”
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti termed chasing a truck for 23 kilometres very strange and questioned how the fire hit the driver if the army fired upon the tires of the truck. “Shocking that after a civilian killing in Kathua dubbed as an ‘OGW’, another civilian from Sopore was shot dead by the army. How strange that after chasing the truck for over 23 km, they claim to have fired at the tires 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?” Mufti wrote on ‘X’.
In a statement issued to KNO, a police spokesperson said they received information that an Army party had established a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) to intercept potential threats. “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 tires to deflate them, forcing the vehicle to halt at Sangrama Chowk,” he said.
He said a detailed search was conducted, and the injured driver was immediately evacuated to GMC Baramulla, where he was declared dead. “An FIR has been registered in PS Baramulla. 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 spokesperson said.
Police urged the public to maintain peace and refrain from spreading rumours 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,” police said.
Meanwhile, the army in a statement to KNO said that on 05 Feb 2025, based on very 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. Alert troops pursued the vehicle for over 23 km. Shots were fired aiming at the tyres to deflate them, which forced the vehicle to halt at Sangrama Chowk,” the statement reads.
“Consequent to the detailed search, the injured driver was immediately evacuated to GMC Baramulla by security forces, where he was declared dead,” it reads further.
The fully loaded truck has been sent to the nearest police station, the army said. Detailed search of the truck in police custody is underway, and an investigation into the antecedents of the suspect is in progress, it added—(KNO)
