The fake encounter killings sparked off widespread protests across Kashmir. While separatists seized the exposé towards invigorating their invective string, chief minister Omar Abdullah, also caught in the middle of criticism by the Opposition and human rights groups, said that the April 30 incident had put a question mark before all the claims about killings of terrorists and militants on the border by the security forces.
Army said here on Sunday that Major Upinder has been suspended pending inquiry whereas Colonel D.K. Pathania has also been removed from command.
The announcement was made soon after the chief minister Omar Abdullah chaired a Unified Headquarters’ meeting here at which he was assured by the Army officials of “full cooperation” with police investigation in the Machael incident. Mr Abdullah earlier reiterated his government’s commitment to zero tolerance against human rights violations. “The violators of human rights will not be allowed to go scotfree,” he was quoted as saying at the meeting by an official spokesperson. The chief minister took detailed brief on the security scenario and law and order situation in the state from top police, intelligence, Army and paramilitary forces officers including GoC-in-C Northern Command, Lt. Gen. B.S. Jaswal, GoC 14 Corps Lt. Gen. S.K. Singh, GoC 15 Corps, Lt. Gen. N.C. Marwah, GoC 16 Corps, Lt. Gen. Rameshwar Rao, GoC 9 Corps, Lt. Gen. D.S. Thakur, Director General of J&K Police Kuldeep Khoda, Special Director General CRPF N.K. Tripathi, Chief Secretary S.S. Kapur, Joint Director Intelligence Bureau and various IGPs from BSF and CRPF.
The meeting discussed all the alleged fake encounters including the one in Machael sector.
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, Army sources said that exemplary action would be taken against any of the Army personnel found guilty in the alleged fake encounter case in Machael sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
In case the Army's Court of Inquiry finds Army personnel guilty, it could trigger demands for a review of encounters in the state and the methodology followed for award of gallantry medals. Officers and soldiers ---- who distinguish themselves in acts of gallantry — are considered for gallantry awards.