The body of Rashid Mughal, a 30-year-old man killed in an encounter in Ganderbal district nearly two and a half months ago, has been handed over to his family for final rites. The Army had identified Mughal as a “terrorist” following the operation in central Kashmir.
A family member revealed on Monday that the exhumation of the body took place last week from a graveyard in north Kashmir, where it had been interred after the April encounter. Subsequently, the remains were returned to the grieving family. “We buried him in our native village after the body was handed over to us,” the family member stated, marking a significant development in a case that had sparked considerable controversy.
The Ganderbal encounter had ignited widespread debate after Mughal’s family vehemently rejected official assertions that he was involved in militant activities. They maintained that the deceased had no connections to any form of militancy. Information reaching TahirRihat.com suggests that the family’s persistent demands for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of his death were a key factor in the eventual handover of the body.
At the time of the encounter, the Army had reported that a militant had been neutralized during the operation but did not disclose the identity or affiliation of the individual. The Jammu and Kashmir Police had also remained silent, refraining from issuing any official statement regarding the operation since its commencement. This lack of immediate transparency from official channels fueled the family’s distress and their resolve to seek clarity.
The family, hailing from Chountwaliwar in the Ganderbal district, continued to assert Mughal’s innocence, emphasizing his lack of any ties to militant organizations. Their public appeals for justice and an inquiry into the incident gained traction, drawing attention to the sensitive nature of counter-insurgency operations and the importance of due process.
In response to the growing concerns and the family’s demands, the then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had called for a “transparent and time-bound probe.” He had also issued a stern warning, stating that any attempts to “obfuscate or delay” the investigation would inevitably undermine the credibility of the authorities. This statement underscored the political sensitivity surrounding the case and the pressure on the administration to address the allegations of wrongful killing.
Following these calls for accountability, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, subsequently ordered a “thorough and impartial” magisterial probe into the incident. The mandate of this probe was to meticulously examine all aspects of the encounter, including the identification and alleged involvement of Rashid Mughal. However, the findings of this official inquiry have, to date, not been made public, leaving a lingering question mark over the resolution of the case. The current development of the body’s return to the family may potentially pave the way for further scrutiny or provide closure, depending on the family’s subsequent actions and the eventual revelation of the probe’s findings.
The prolonged delay in handing over the body and the subsequent controversy highlight the complex challenges faced in Kashmir regarding counter-insurgency operations and the imperative for robust mechanisms to ensure accountability and protect civilian rights. The family’s perseverance in seeking justice for Rashid Mughal serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the critical need for transparent investigations in such sensitive matters. The return of the body, while a step towards final rites, also brings renewed focus on the pending magisterial probe and the expectations for its conclusive findings.
The case of Rashid Mughal is emblematic of broader concerns that have been raised in the past regarding encounters in the region. Families often find themselves in protracted legal and emotional battles to prove the innocence of their loved ones, especially when official narratives differ from their lived experiences. The demand for an impartial investigation, as echoed by former Chief Minister Abdullah, remains a crucial element in building trust between the administration and the populace in areas affected by prolonged security operations. The current administration’s commitment to a thorough probe, as ordered by Lieutenant Governor Sinha, will be tested by the eventual disclosure of the investigation’s outcomes and the subsequent actions taken to address any irregularities identified.
The exhumation and return of the body, occurring after a significant passage of time, suggest a potential shift in the handling of the case or a response to sustained pressure from the family and civil society. The family’s ability to perform the final rites in their native village offers a measure of solace, but the underlying questions about the circumstances of Mughal’s death and the official classification of him as a “terrorist” are likely to persist until the magisterial probe’s findings are officially released and acted upon. This development underscores the ongoing narrative of justice and accountability in the region, where each case carries significant weight and demands meticulous attention from all stakeholders involved.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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