FAKE ENCOUNTER
DNA report reportedly confirms suspicion
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, June 5
In a report that may prove to be a jolt to the Army, the central forensic laboratory has reportedly confirmed that the DNA sample of a person allegedly killed by army troops in a fake encounter whose body was exhumed from a pit in Peer Badeswar area has matched with one of his parents. This reported findings of the laboratory mean that the assertions of his family members that he was killed by troops and buried in a pit may well prove to be right.

Sources in the police department close to officer who got the DNA report from the laboratory in Kolkatta claimed that the DNA sample of Muhammad Yousuf, son of Raj Muhammad of Kotdhara-----who was allegedly killed by troops of 18 Dogra in a fake encounter and buried in a pit in the Peer Badeswar area near LOC----has matched with one of the parents. They said since the report was positive, it substantiated the allegations of family members that he was killed by the Army in a fake encounter.

Police sources said Muhammad Yousuf, son of Raj Muhammad, Abdul Aziz, son of Sher Muhammad and Abdul Aziz, son of Muhammad Hussain (All from Kotdhara), were allegedly killed by troops of 18 Dogra in a fake encounter and were buried in a pit some where near the army camp in Peer Badeswar area near LoC in 1997. After disclosure of infamous fake killings in Ganderbal where body of Abdul Rehman Paddar was exhumed for a DNA test, families of these victims too were pressing hard to get the bodies of their members exhumed for test to ascertain whether the persons buried were their members.

Sources further said that families of the victims had urged the then Deputy Commissioner Pervez Ahmed Malik in March, 2007 and it was due to his efforts that bodies of the buried persons were exhumed in June 2007.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Farooq, brother of Abdul Aziz (sons of Sher Muhammad), another victim who was allegedly killed by the Army and buried in the same pit claimed that he was also informed by someone close to person who brought the DNA report that Yousuf's DNA matched with one of his parents.

Deputy Commissioner, Rafiq Sheikh said that "I was out of the district and have just reached. But I have also heard that the report is with SSP, Rajouri. I will see it tomorrow", the DC said.