JK killing: BSF jawan handed to police for questioning

A Border Security Force constable, allegedly involved in the killing of a teenager, whose death sparked off massive protests in the valley, was handed over to the Jammu and Kashmir police on Wednesday for further interrogations. But the slain youth's family alleged that the jawan was being made a scapegoat to save an officer who was the real culprit.

"The BSF constable of 68th battalion Lakhvinder Kumar has been handed over to us and he is being questioned," said Srinagar Senior Superintendent of Police Riyaz Bedar.

However, the family of Farooq accused the BSF of using the constable as a 'scapegoat' to save a senior officer, whom it charged with actually shooting the boy, at Nishat on the outskirts of the city last

"We are not satisfied with the arrest of the constable as the eye-witnesses told us that an officer of the force actually shot Zahid in the chest on Friday after snatching the rifle from one of the jawans," said Farooq Ahmad, father of the slain 16-year-old boy. He said the BSF is making the jawan a scapegoat to save the officer.

"Let the BSF unmask the jawan and bring him as well as the officer before the witnesses so that the real culprit is brought to book," he said.

Zahid Farooq. 16, was allegedly shot dead by the BSF troops on February 5 at Brain-Nishat, triggering massive protests in Kashmir valley.