Will carry out DNA sampling of trio killed in Shopian: J&K Police

SRINAGAR — In a significant development, Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday said that police will carry out DNA sampling of slain militants of July 18 Ashmipora, Shopian encounter, for cross examination and matching purpose besides all other aspects will be investigated as per law in due course of time.

In a statement, a police spokesman said that taking cognizance of the claim by the families and media reports, Shopian Police will examine the claimants and carry out DNA sampling for matching purposes. “Besides identification, Police will also investigate all other aspects as per the law in due course of time,” the spokesman said.

He said that the district Police Rajouri have been approached by some families yesterday, claiming that their kin had gone to Shopian for labour work and contacted on phone on 17th July. “As per families when they didn’t contact them after 17th July, they lodged a missing report at police post Peeru on August 10,” the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, rumours were rife on social media that the militants killed in an operation at Shopian on July 18 were the kin of three families from Rajouri.

The police also said that apropos to its earlier press note regarding the July 18 operation, Police had provided sufficient time for identification of bodies at PCR Kashmir Srinagar. “However, the bodies could not be identified and they were buried in the presence of the Magistrate after conducting a post-mortem and lifting of DNA samples,” the police spokesman said.

Meanwhile, police said that Army has also taken notice of the family and social media claims regarding the said operation and initiated investigations.

Pertinently, we were the first to report that families of three missing persons from Rajouri district have demanded DNA cross examination with the trio killed on July 18 at Shopian encounter. The families of three youth have already demanded an independent probe to nail the truth.