Border Security Force of India admits the killing of Kashmiri boy
By Daljeet Singh
Published: February 10, 2010
Srinagar/Ludhiana (February 10, 2010): The Border Security Force (BSF) has admitted that it killed a schoolboy outside Srinagar on February 6, 2010. Such confession by security forces in the state is first of its kind.
Zahid Farooq Sheikh, 16, was killed when BSF opened fire on a group of people in Nishat area of Srinagar. “Prima facie evidence has proved the involvement of Lakhwinder Kumar, a jawan of 68 battalion of BSF, in the shootout that resulted in the death of Zahid Farooq Sheikh of Nishat,” said P P S Sandhu, Special Director General (DG) of the BSF.
“We have decided to hand over the jawan to the local police for further investigations. The Jammu and Kashmir Police will do the investigation which will reveal everything.” he added.
Lakhwinder Kumar has been suspended and questioned by senior BSF officers, said sources. Sandhu said investigations till now had found that Zahid died due to a bullet fired at him by the jawan from an AK-47 rifle.
Killing of two teenagers in recent times has multiplied the anger of Kashmiri people against India and its security forces.
Tagged with: Kashmir Agitation, Kashmir Issue
BSF’S ADMISSION IS A COVER-UP STORY, OUR SON WAS KILLED BY SENIOR OFFICER OF BSF – SAYS FAMILY (Greater Kashmir News)
Sri Nagar (10 February, 2010)
Accusing paramilitary BSF of cover-up, family of 16-year old teenager, Zahid Farooq Sheikh, on Wednesday alleged that he was shot by a senior BSF officer and not by a constable.
“Eyewitnesses told me that an officer in white clothes alighted from a Gypsy. The officer snatched the rifle of one of his troopers and asked Zahid and his friends to runaway from the spot. Without any provocation, the officer aimed at them and then fired upon Zahid. Soon after, the officer, alongwith his troopers, fled from the spot. It is clear that the officer had fired with the intention to kill,” Zahid’s father, Farooq Ahmad Sheikh told Greater Kashmir.
He said the witnesses had given the same statement before Senior Superintendent of Police and Deputy Commissioner Srinagar in Nishat Police Station.
“The BSF is trying to save the real accused officer and it is evident that the Government is supporting the cover up in the national interest to keep the moral of the troopers high. We will be forced to take to streets, if the officer is not arrested. I don’t want the killer officer to roam scot-free and target other innocent youth,” Sheikh said.
He said eyewitnesses had been maintaining troopers on board a BSF Gypsy and lorry with Hangul mark were involved in the killing. “Initially the BSF had even denied involvement of its troopers. For 5-days they were looking for a scapegoat. It was only due to protests investigation into the case was launched. The BSF has added insult to injury by exonerating the accused officer. We demand a free and fair investigation into the cover-up,” he said.
Pertinently the police officials had confirmed that the autopsy of Zahid revealed that the bullet had hit him on his back and left the body after piercing through his chest. Police said this aspect was important in the investigation as it clearly showed that he was fired from behind and there was no apparent provocation.
Meanwhile, strong resentment was brewing among the residents of Nishat against the “cover-up”. Soon after the BSF handed over the accused constable to police, people staged massive demonstrations.
“In the past we have seen the fate of inquiries into the human rights violations. The cover-up of Shopian double rape and murder is a glaring example to the futile probes. We will continue to fight for justice to Zahid’s family and launch an agitation for it. Government will be responsible for its consequences,” protesters said.
The protesters accused police of harassing local youth. “On Monday night unidentified troopers fired indiscriminately in air in the locality to scare us. Police is also harassing the youth on the pretext of questioning. But this won’t deter our resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice,” they alleged.