Srinagar: A fatal shooting in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district has sparked controversy with accusations of “excessive force” levied against security forces. A 32-year-old truck driver, Waseem Majeed Mir, was shot and killed after allegedly leading security forces on a 23-kilometre high-speed chase.
The incident happened on February 5th when security forces established a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) at Amargah, Sopore, acting on intelligence about potential terrorist activity in the area. A civilian truck approached the checkpoint at high speed, failing to stop despite repeated warnings, claims the army.
“On 5 February, based on a specific intelligence input about the movement of terrorists, a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) was established by security forces at Amargah, Sopore, in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district,” the Srinagar-based 15 Corps posted on X, formerly Twitter.
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The ensuing chase spanned over 23 kilometres. Security forces fired at the truck’s tyres in an attempt to disable it, eventually stopping the vehicle at Sangrama Chowk in Baramulla leaving a driver injured seriously with bullet wounds. The injured driver was transported to GMC Baramulla, where he was pronounced dead.
The army’s statement asserted that the driver was evacuated immediately. The truck, carrying a full load of cargo, was subsequently taken into police custody for further investigation.
“Alert troops pursued the vehicle for over 23 km. Shots were fired aiming at tyres to deflate which forced the vehicle to halt at Sangrama Chowk,” it said. “Consequent to detailed search, the injured driver was immediately evacuated to GMC Baramulla by Security Forces where he was declared dead,” it added.
“Detailed search of the truck in police custody is underway and investigation on antecedents of the suspect is in progress,” the army said further.
The army statement emphasised that a detailed search of the truck is underway and an investigation into the deceased driver’s background is ongoing.”Consequent to a detailed search, the injured driver was immediately evacuated to GMC Baramulla by security forces, where he was declared dead,” the army added.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism. PDP leader Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, questioned the army’s account, expressing outrage at the death and raising concerns about the disproportionate use of force.
She questioned the claim that shots were fired at the tyres yet the driver was killed, implying a possible misfire or other inconsistencies in the narrative. She highlighted the perceived cheapness of Kashmiri lives and the continued impunity enjoyed by security forces.
“Shocking that after a civilian killing in Kathua dubbed as an ‘OGW’, another civilian from Sopore was shot dead by the army. How strange that after chasing the truck for over 23 kms, they claim to have fired at the tyres but somehow misfired at him instead. Are Kashmiri lives so cheap? How long will you justify this unbridled impunity by pointing everyone with the needle of suspicion?” she posted on X.
