Brig among three Army officers shifted over death of 3 civilians

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JAMMU: Pending an inquiry into alleged custodial death of three civilians, the Army has shifted three senior officers, including a Brigadier stationed in Rajouri. The other two officers who have been moved out are of the rank of Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel. An internal inquiry is already underway into the three deaths.

Safeer Hussain, Mohammad Showket and Shabir Ahmad, all residents of Topa Peer village of Bafliaz in Poonch, were found dead after they and others were picked up by the Army for questioning to inquire about the ambush in the Dera ki Gali area on Thursday. Four soldiers were killed in the incident. A purported video of the interrogation of the civilians had gone viral after which political parties had demanded a probe.

The J&K administration has announced compensation and jobs for kin of the three victims.