Iltija Mufti, the leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), paid a visit on Friday to the family of Rashid Mughal, who lost his life during an Army encounter in Ganderbal earlier this month.

Mufti called upon Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to ensure the return of Mughal’s remains to his family. She expressed her disbelief over Mughal being labeled a foreign militant, emphasizing that he was a local resident and a member of the PDP.

The Lieutenant Governor has initiated a magisterial investigation following concerns raised regarding the circumstances of the encounter that occurred on April 3. Family members and community residents have asserted that Mughal was not involved in militancy.

The Home Department, under the purview of the Lieutenant Governor, has instructed the District Magistrate of Ganderbal to conclude the inquiry within a week. The directive stated, “The matter has been reviewed, and you are asked to conduct a comprehensive and unbiased magisterial inquiry to determine the facts surrounding the death of Rashid Ahmad Mughal… The inquiry should be completed within seven days, and the findings reported to the Home Department.”

During her visit to Mughal’s residence in Ganderbal, Mufti claimed, “He was shot dead in broad daylight by the Army. He was a man of integrity and a PDP worker. He left home dressed in a Kameez Shalwar, but when his body was found, he was wearing trousers and a shirt, with a weapon placed on him.”

She further questioned, “How can a local man with a domicile certificate and a disability certificate be labeled a foreign militant?”

While expressing gratitude to the Lieutenant Governor for initiating the inquiry, Mufti warned, “If the family is forced to protest for the return of his body, we will stand with them.” She also urged Lieutenant Governor Sinha to make the inquiry findings public.

In a statement after the encounter, the Army, while withholding the identity of the deceased, reported that a militant was neutralized following the observation of suspicious activity in the Arhama area of Ganderbal.

Mufti asserted, “Kashmir is the only region in India where innocent lives are lost, only to be justified by claiming they were militants.”

She appealed for justice for Mughal’s family, stating, “I earnestly request that if his body is not returned within a week, there will be protests in the streets.”

As per official policy, the bodies of militants who are killed in encounters with security forces are typically not returned to their families.

A spokesperson for the Defence Ministry remarked that the truth surrounding the incident would eventually surface, adding, “The family can assert anything. It is a delicate matter; the facts will come to light.”

Naveed Iqbal serves as a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he covers news from Jammu and Kashmir. With over 15 years of experience in frontline journalism, Iqbal provides insightful reporting on the region’s evolving landscape, governance, and the socio-political ramifications of national policies.

Her expertise is particularly pronounced in regional matters, having spent more than a decade documenting the unique challenges faced by Jammu and Kashmir. Iqbal’s reporting is characterized by a deep understanding of the region’s complexities following the revocation of Article 370, ongoing statehood discussions, and local electoral politics.

Key areas of coverage include:

• Politics & Governance: Analyzing the dynamics between the National Conference (NC), PDP, and BJP, including comprehensive coverage of J&K’s inaugural Assembly sessions and Rajya Sabha elections post-reorganization.
• Internal Security & Justice: Providing in-depth reporting on counter-insurgency efforts, investigations into terror modules, and legal developments affecting political detainees and constitutional rights.
• Education & Minority Affairs: Focusing on systemic challenges such as quota controversies in J&K, reforms in the public service commission, and issues facing minority communities.

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