ibn sultan
A suspected drug smuggler was shot dead and another detained during an encounter with police in Jammu’s Satwari area on Thursday, July 24. The deceased has been identified as Parvez.
According to officials, the police were chasing suspected traffickers near the Mandal locality when they came under fire.
Police retaliated, during which Parvez sustained injuries and was rushed to the Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, where he later died. His death triggered widespread anger among locals and family members.
What Happened During The ‘Encounter’?
Acting on a tip-off about alleged drug smuggling activity, a police team launched a chase in the Mandal area under Satwari police station limits. During the operation, shots were reportedly fired at the police from the suspects’ side.
Police returned fire, killing one suspect, Parvez, and detaining another. Senior officers later reached the spot and began an investigation.
Family Claims Parvez Was Innocent, Demands Judicial Probe
Soon after Parvez’s death, his relatives and a large group of locals gathered outside GMC Jammu, staging a protest against the police. The situation outside the hospital grew tense, with protesters accusing the police of killing an innocent man in a staged encounter.
News website The Hindu quoted tribal activist Talib Hussain as saying: “It’s a fake encounter. Parvez did not have any FIR against him. If he were required in any drug case, he should have been arrested.
We came to know that the victim and his brother-in-law were stopped at a checkpoint and fired upon.”
He further alleged that Gujjars have been repeatedly targeted over fake claims of cattle and drug smuggling and Parvez was also killed because of his identity.
The protesters demanded a judicial inquiry and a fair investigation into the incident. Additional police forces have been deployed at the hospital to maintain order, and security has been tightened in the area.(ABP)
