Kupwara driver’s killing: Guilty soldiers will be punished: Interlocutor
Srinagar: The Centre’s representative for Kashmir Dineshwar Sharma Tuesday said that any soldier found guilty in the killing of Kupwara cab driver will be punished and the probe will be made public.
Asif Iqbal, a cab driver was killed in an ambush at Thandipora village of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district last week.
Police have already registered an FIR against the unknown army soldiers. Dineshwar Sharma said that people of Kashmir will feel that justice has been done when guilty will be punished and report be made public.
Responding to a question of involving militants in talks, Sharma said that he will only talk to those who believe in non-violence.
“My doors are open for those who want peace in Kashmir. I interacted with a lot of people here who truly want peace and prosperity,” he said.
Pertinently, Sharma met the family of Asif Iqbal while on his visit to Kupwara yesterday. Asif Iqbal Bhat, was allegedly killed by the Army earlier this month during an encounter. The family members, who were called by the district administration to meet Sharma, conveyed their anger over Bhat’s killing.
Bhat was seriously injured after being hit by a bullet in Thandipora in Kralpora area of the Kupwara district and was shifted to a hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries. Police has lodged an FIR in the Police Station Kralpora and an investigation has been launched.
However, the Army has maintained that the deceased was caught in a cross-fire between troops and militants.
KV Correspondent
