A truck driver from Sopore was shot dead by the army in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district after allegedly failing to stop at a security checkpoint. The police said the troops fired at the truck’s tyres, but the driver was hit and later died at the hospital.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti strongly condemned the incident, calling it “shocking” and an example of “unbridled impunity.”
“How strange that after chasing the truck for over 23 km, they claim to have fired at the tyres but somehow misfired at him instead. Are Kashmiri lives so cheap?” she asked.
The police, in a statement, said that an RR unit had set up a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) when a truck was seen speeding.
“Despite repeated warnings, the vehicle did not stop and instead accelerated past the checkpoint,” the police said. “Troops pursued the truck for 23 km and, as per protocol, fired at its tyres near Sangrama Chowk.”
The driver was taken to GMC Baramulla, where doctors declared him dead.
An FIR has been registered, and the police have taken the truck for investigation. A post-mortem is underway to confirm the cause of death.
The police urged people to remain calm. “A thorough investigation is in progress, and updates will be given through official channels,” they said.
