Army probing Poonch civilian killings, everyone should have faith in it: Govt

The government on Tuesday said that those involved in the killings of three civilians in Jammu and Kashmirrsquos Poonch district will ldquodefinitely be punishedrdquoA senior government functionary told newswire PTI that the Army is conducting an internal probe into the killings hence everyone should have faith in itThree civilians aged between 27 and 42 were found dead on December 22 after they were picked up by the Army for questioning in connection with a terrorist ambush a day before that killed four soldiers in Poonch districtThe deaths sparked public outrage prompting the authorities to announce compensation for their families newswire PTI reportedThe Army is conducting its own investigation If anyone is found to be guilty they will definitely be punished But such an investigation is not to be disclosed publicly Let the Army do its work There is no need to prejudge anything or make any comment on the Army the official saidOn December 27 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he had full faith in the Indian Army that it will wipe out terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir even as he urged the troops to not make such mistakes that may hurt the citizens of the countryIt is the responsibility of the troops to win the hearts of the people while performing their duty towards the security of the nation Singh had saidSoon after the three civilians were found dead and a few others were injured video clips purportedly showing their torture went viral on social mediaThe Army has initiated a Court of Inquiry and police lodged a murder case against unidentified personsafter terror incident at DKG Dhera Ki Gali on December 21 Army troops carried out searches in Topa Peer in Buffliaz for the terrorists who escaped after the attack During searches Army troops detained a few local youths for questioning reportedly three such youths namely Safeer Ahmad Mohd Showkat and Shabir Ahmad succumbed to injuriesAs such cognizable offence under section 302 IPC is made out On this information instant case stands registered As the instant case is of special naturespecial report will be submitted separately as investigation is taken up an official said quoting the FIRA brigadierlevel officer was shifted and action was being taken against three officers of 48 Rashtriya Rifles as the Army took serious note of the allegation of custodial tortureThe counterinsurgency unit of the Army was in the news for wrong reasons in October last year as well when one of its majorrank officers opened fire on his colleagues and exploded grenades inside the Neeli post camp near Thanamandi leaving five personnel including three officers injured With inputs from PTI