JK: Two security men arrested for fake encounter

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said two security men have been arrested in connection with the killing of a civilian in an alleged fake encounter in Poonch district.

"A special police officer and a local Territorial Army man were arrested in connection with the killing of a civilian in Poonch district," Omar said. He said a case under section 302 (RPC) amounting to murder has been registered against the arrested duo.

The army on Monday claimed to have killed a Pakistani militant and divisional commander of Lashker-e-Tayiba Abu Usman after a 12-hour long gunbattle at Surankote area of Poonch district in Jammu region, and claimed recovery of arms and ammunition from him. However, during the probe it was found that the deceased was a civilian.

"Preliminary investigations suggest that a Special Police Officer and local Territorial Army personnel informed the local Army unit about the presence of a foreign militant," the chief minister said.

"Acting on the information, Army launched an operation and subsequently information came to light that the person shot dead during the operation was possibly not the person whose information was passed by the duo," he added.

Abdullah said both the personnel were arrested and interrogated during which they confessed to have passed the wrong information to Army. "Both are in police custody and charged with 302 (RPC). I assure that law will follow its own course," he added.