Desk Correspondent , Srinagar – On Friday the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha ordered an authoritative inquiry into the encounter that took place on Wednesday in Arhama village of Ganderbal district. Security forces have claimed that they neutralised a terrorist during the joint operation. However, the family of the deceased identified him as 29-year-old Rashid Ahmad Mughal, a local resident, and maintained that he was a civilian with no militant links who was running an NGO.

The operation Arahama was launched jointly by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir police base on specific intelligence inputs. On Tuesday night several encounters were made by the joined security forces. According to official statement on his X post Sinha wrote “I have ordered a thorough and impartial magisterial inquiry into the Arhama, Ganderbal incident. The inquiry will examine all aspects related to the incident and ensure that justice is served” This development follows widespread concerns raised over the killing of the young man.

On Thursday Chief Minister of J&K Omar Abdullah demanded a “transparent and time-bound” examination with full public disclosure. While on the other hand PDP president Mehbooba Mufti alleged the incident was a “fake encounter.” Ahmad who is identified as a resident of Chuntwaliwar Lar was an orphan, although security forces ha strongly rejected the from officially naming the deceased.