Qayoom Khan
Srinagar: Family of sumo driver, who was killed in Kakapora area of Pulwama, on Monday demanded whereabouts of their another son who was accompanying the slain when they were returning home.
The duo, the family said were returning to their residence at Narwah from Dougam area, 4 kilometres from their home. They had gone to visit partner with whom they were running a poultry farm.
“Bilal Ahmad Ganie (the slain civilian sumo driver) was fired from very close range and the firing occurred after 15 to 20 minutes when army says the attack was carried on the camp. We don’t know whereabouts of Mehraj-ud-Din Ganie (brother of Bilal) who was accompanying the slain while they were returning home from Dougam,” Mohammad Ramzan Ganie, father of the slain told GNS.
“They should reveal the whereabouts of Mehraj-ud-Din immediately, otherwise we will not take the body of Bilal which is lying with police,” Ramzan said and broke down.
No further conversation with him was possible as others try to console him.
The locals said that they heard firing after 15 to 20 minutes after gunshots at Kakapora, suggesting that army killed Bilal after the vehicle passed through the area.
SSP Pulwama Mohammad Aslam Choudary when contacted told GNS that they are trying to ascertain whereabouts of Mehraj after the family claimed that their other son who was accompanying the slain is missing.
In a statement, police said that Bilal was killed in firing by militants in which a soldier also died.
“Militants in Pulwama this evening attacked an army camp by indiscriminately firing at Kakapora resulting in a serious injury to one jawan of army and a civilian. Consequently, both the jawan and the civilian succumbed to their injuries,” a police spokesman said in a statement.
“It is learnt that taking advantage of the darkness militants managed to escape. Police have registered a case in this matter and investigation has been initiated,” the spokesman added.
Meanwhile, the army in a statement said: ” In a cowardly and provocative act of terror, terrorists carried out a stand-off attack on Kakapora Army Camp, one soldier martyred. Retaliatory actions ongoing”.
Meanwhile, protests were going in the area when this report was filed. (GNS)
