Two jawans booked for murder of youth in Kashmir

Two security forces personnel have been booked for their alleged involvement in the death of a youth in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, police said on Sunday.

"We have registered a murder case against two jawans of security forces in connection with the death of a civilian in Mendhar", Station House Officer, Mendhar Police Station, Kuldeep Raj told PTI.

An FIR was registered at Mendhar police station under section 302/34 Ranbir Panel Code against a Border Security Force man and an army jawan of Engineering Regiment for their alleged involvement in the death of 20-year-old Najeem Hussain, a resident of Dharana village in Mendhar, on Friday afternoon.

SHO Raj has written to the security forces for handing over of the two jawans for investigation, but "the duo has not been arrested so far".

Hussain, a driver, reportedly went to a water filling point of army in Mendhar, but did not return. His body was later found in the nearby forest at around 2125 hours on Friday.

The death triggered protests, as locals alleged security forces of killing him and disposing the body in the forest area. Later, district administration ordered probe into it.

An army spokesman in Jammu said as per its investigation is no involvement of any army personnel in the death of the civilian. He, however, said that the army is cooperating with police in the investigation.