An Army porter was killed in mysterious circumstances in Handwara area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district during a counter-insurgency operation.
Liaquat Ali of Nagni Wadar Payeen village, who has been working as a porter with the Army, accompanied a joint search operation undertaken by the Army and police based on the specific intelligence inputs regarding movement of militants in the area of Watsar forest, about 12 kilometers west of Handwara, a defence spokesman said.
"At about 5.00 am on May 25, the column of security forces came under fire which was immediately retaliated. After a brief exchange of fire, the area was searched during which Ali was found injured.
"After administering immediate first aid, the porter was evacuated by foot to the Handwara-Bunawadar road-head but he succumbed to injuries. His body was handed over to police at 06:30 am," he said.
The Army today instituted an inquiry to establish the circumstances that led to the porter's death.
"An inquiry has been instituted to establish in detail the possible circumstances leading to the death of Liaquat Ali," the defence spokesman said.
Since the deceased was working with the Army, "we are committed to providing all possible assistance including authorised entitlements to his family," he added.
