Indian Army orders J&K killing probe

Army has said it has ordered a probe into the killing of a village head in Jammu and Kashmir.

Indian Army said on Monday it had ordered a probe into the killing of a village head in Jammu and Kashmir by soldiers who apparently mistook him for a terrorist.

HT Image

Sanaullah Magray, 65, was killed when he was heading towards a mosque in Targam village, near the highway town of Qazigund, south of Srinagar, in the early hours of Sunday.

The killing sparked massive demonstrations in and around the village, and seven people were hurt in the ensuing police action.

"The army regrets the incident and a court of inquiry has been constituted to investigate into the matter," the army said in a statement.

The army said the incident was a result of "mistaken identity", saying the victim had accidentally walked into an ambush set for terrorists.

"The complete incident is due to a case of mistaken identity, but the army has shown great restraint in challenging the man and had even fired a warning shot," the statement said.

Police have also registered a case against the army.