Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 6: A truck driver from Sopore was killed in a firing incident after he allegedly ignored a security forces’ checkpoint in Baramulla district today.
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An official said that the incident occurred when a vehicle carrying apple boxes was signalled to stop at the Naka set up by security forces in Baramulla. The vehicle, however, failed to comply with the order, following which the security forces opened fire, resulting in injuries to the driver, who was shifted to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The driver has been identified as Waseem Majeed Mir, 35, son of Abdul Majeed Mir, resident of Goripora Darpora Bomai Sopore. His family members and relatives today said that Waseem was innocent and had never taken part in any anti-national activity. They said the authorities must make the CCTV footage viral so that everything will come to light. They have sought the attention of higher authorities and demanded a thorough investigation and justice in this regard.
A police spokesperson said they received information that an Army party had established a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) to intercept potential threats.
“A suspicious civil truck was spotted moving at high speed. Despite repeated warnings, the vehicle did not stop and instead accelerated past the check post. Troops pursued the truck for over 23 km, and, as per protocol, fired at the tires to deflate them, forcing the vehicle to halt at Sangrama Chowk,” he said.
He said a detailed search was conducted, and the injured driver was immediately evacuated to GMC Baramulla, where he was declared dead. “An FIR has been registered in PS Baramulla. The truck has been moved to the nearest police station for a thorough search. Post-mortem proceedings have been initiated to ascertain the cause of death,” the spokesperson said.
Police urged the public to maintain peace and refrain from spreading rumours or misinformation regarding this incident. “A thorough investigation is underway, and all updates will be communicated through official channels. Any attempt to disrupt public order or spread false information will be dealt with strictly,” police said.
Meanwhile, the Army in a statement said that based on very specific intelligence input about the movement of terrorists, a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) was established by security forces. “One speeding suspicious civil truck was spotted. When challenged, the truck didn’t stop despite repeated warnings and instead accelerated further while crossing the check post. Alert troops pursued the vehicle for over 23 km. Shots were fired aiming at the tyres to deflate them, which forced the vehicle to halt at Sangrama Chowk,” the statement read.
“Consequent to the detailed search, the injured driver was immediately evacuated to GMC Baramulla by security forces, where he was declared dead,” it read further.
The fully loaded truck has been sent to the nearest police station, the army said. Detailed search of the truck in police custody is underway, and an investigation into the antecedents of the suspect is in progress, it added.
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