At least three civilians were killed in army custody in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, an Indian news outlet reported, as victims’ families describe it as custodial murders inside a camp.
The occupied government in the region has announced compensation and jobs for the family of the three civilians, the Hindustan Times reported.
“The medico legal formalities were conducted and legal action in this matter has been initiated by the appropriate authority. Government has announced compensation for each of the deceased,” the occupied region’s information department said. Bodies were found near Baffliaz in Poonch district.
The deceased were identified as Safeer Hussain, 44, Showket Ali, 22, and Shabir Hussain, 32. They were laid to rest on Saturday at their native village Topa Peer.
Showket Ali’s uncle Mohammad Sadeeq stated that the deceased had no links with ambush or terrorism, as claimed by the Indian army after alleged videos of torture went viral on social media.
He told this scribe the army picked up nine men from the village on Friday morning from their houses. The detained men were taken to Mal post where they were tortured and then shifted to Bafliaz post.
Sadeeq demanded justice from the government and sought evidence from the army of their family members’ purported involvement in any terror activity. According to him, the deceased had injury marks on their bodies.
“Acid and chili powder were poured on them. They were given electric shocks in the water filled tanks. Every third-degree torture was given to them. I have shared two videos of the torture with the deputy magistrate,” he said.
Unverified videos also supported Sadeeq’s claims. They also showed that some Indian army personnel were beating the three civilians with the baton.
Several political parties in IIOJK protested against the incident and demanded an impartial probe into the killing of civilians.
Kashmiri leader Mehbooba Mufti described the videos as “heart-wrenching”. But she added that she did not know about their authenticity.
