Even before the issue of Siachen fake killings could die down, a similar incident of alleged fake encounter by a BSF Commandant in Kashmir purportedly to claim gallantry medal has come to light.
The allegation about the incident of September 8, 2003, has sent shock waves across the BSF establishment and its Director General Ajai Raj Sharma has ordered a Court of Inquiry (COI) against Commandant Narendra Singh after shunting him out of Jammu and Kashmir to Mizoram, BSF sources told PTI.
As per the allegation by Constable Subhash Rathore of 42 Battalion headed by Singh, a Kashmiri youth had been gunned
down by the Commandant and labelled as a Pakistani terrorist.
Rathore alleged that after the "fake encounter", Singh had tried to claim President's Gallantry Medal for it and even got a senior officer to recommend his name.
When contacted by PTI, the BSF chief acknowledged receipt of Rathore's complaint against Singh and said a Court of Inquiry (COI) was ordered on July 6 on that basis.
Pending the inquiry, Singh has been transferred to Mizoram, Sharma said, pointing out that one more allegation was pending against the commandant.
Sharma also confirmed that the commandant had tried to claim a medal but it was "rejected as the case could not stand the scrutiny."
"The COI will seek to find out the truth behind the allegation," the BSF DG said, adding the COI will also find out "why the complainant constable, if he knew about the details, remained silent so far and levelled the allegations now."
Rathore has alleged that the unidentified youth hailing from Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir was "picked up" from near Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) in Srinagar on September 2, 2003 on suspicion of being a terrorist.
He was interrogated thoroughly and on the intervening night of September 7 and 8 he was taken by Singh to Nagbal area of Badgam district in Kashmir and gunned down, alleged Rathore in his letters to President A P J Abdul Kalam, CBI Director U S Mishra and BSF chief, copies of which are with PTI, demanding a thorough probe.
The constable alleged the Commandant had himself participated in the killing and was helped by some of his hand-picked BSF personnel.
The killed youth was given the fictitious name of Ismail Bhai alias Babar, s/o Golla Seeq Bhai, r/o Kodipak, district Lodurin-K K Khas, Chawalbir, Karachi, Rathore alleged.
According to preliminary in-house investigations conducted by the BSF, the constable levelled allegations against his senior officer months after the incident 'because of a tiff', sources said.
Singh is said to have reprimanded Rathore recently after the constable allegedly entered into a second wedlock without taking divorce from the first wife.