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Army admits its troops opened
fire in Haigam and Maisuma

The Indian Army admitted on Sunday that its troops and intelligence personnel opened fire in self-defence during protests over custodial killings at Haigam-Sopore and Maisuma in Srinagar on February 15 and 16 respectively. Seven people were killed in the two firing incidents.

"Notwithstanding the judicial probe, we have also ordered a detailed inquiry into these unfortunate incidents," General Officer Commanding, 15th Corps, Lt. Gen. J R Mukherjee, told reporters in Srinagar.

The inquiry would be time-bound and those found guilty would be brought to book and dealt with sternly, he said.

Lt. Gen. Mukherjee expressed regret over the "unfortunate incidents" and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

He said an army convoy was attacked by protestors at Haigam village on February 15 forcing the convoy commander to order his men to open controlled fire in the air.

On the Maisuma incident on February 16, Lt. Gen. Mukherjee said intelligence personnel of the 15th Crops ran into an unruly mob that rained stones damaging the army vehicle and its driver who fired two rounds in self-defence from his pistol.

PTI

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