A civilian truck driver was shot dead by the army after a high-speed chase in Baramulla district, prompting allegations of excessive force and calls for an impartial investigation. The incident, which took place in the early hours of Thursday, has reignited debates on security measures and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the restive region.
The Incident
According to officials, security forces had set up a checkpoint on the Kupwara-Sopore highway following intelligence inputs regarding potential militant movement. At around 12:30 am, a truck approached the checkpoint but did not stop despite repeated warnings, instead speeding away.
The army’s Chinar Corps, in a statement on social media platform X, said: “On 05 Feb 2025, based on a specific intelligence input about the movement of terrorists, a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) was established by Security Forces. One speeding, suspicious civil truck was spotted. When challenged, the truck didn’t stop despite repeated warnings instead accelerated further while crossing the check post.”
A chase ensued for approximately 23 kilometers before security forces opened fire, aiming to deflate the truck’s tires. The driver was shot and later succumbed to his injuries at Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla.
Victim Identified
The deceased was identified as 25-year-old Waseem Ahmad, a resident of Sopore, who worked as a fruit truck driver. He was transporting a load of apples to Kolkata at the time of the incident.
Dr. Pervaz Masoodi, medical superintendent of GMC Baramulla, confirmed that Ahmad was dead upon arrival. “The body had only one bullet injury. The bullet entered through the left side of his torso and exited through the right arm. A postmortem exam was performed before handing the body over to his relatives,” he said.
Family and Political Reactions
Ahmad’s family strongly disputed the army’s version of events, calling his killing unjustified. His mother, Nissara Begum, expressed grief and anger, saying, “I am suffering from various ailments, and my son told me that he will take me to a doctor once he returns from Kolkata… He was killed without any reason.”
His cousin, Mohammad Ashraf, also questioned the necessity of lethal force. “He was never involved in any criminal activity. He had a clean record even at the local police station. We want to know why he was killed when he was simply trying to earn a livelihood for his family,” he said.
The incident has sparked political outrage, with several leaders condemning the use of force. Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stressed that such incidents hinder peace efforts. “J&K will never be completely normalised and free of terror without the cooperation of & partnership with the local population. Incidents like these risk alienating the very people whom we need to carry with us on the road to complete normalcy,” he wrote on X, urging the Centre to conduct an impartial probe.
CPI(M) general secretary Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami called for accountability, stating, “The unfortunate incident could have been easily prevented with a more cautious approach instead of a trigger-happy response.”
Iltija Mufti, daughter of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, questioned the pattern of civilian killings in the region. “Shocking that after a civilian killing in Kathua, another civilian from Sopore was shot dead by the Army… Are Kashmiri lives so cheap?” she asked.
Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari also demanded an investigation into Ahmad’s death. “This incident requires a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances under which this unfortunate event occurred,” he stated.
Legal and Security Concerns
Ahmad’s killing has once again drawn attention to the controversial AFSPA, which grants security forces sweeping powers in “disturbed areas.” The act allows personnel to use force, even to the extent of causing death, in the name of maintaining public order. Activists argue that it provides security forces with impunity, while the army contends that it is essential for counterterrorism operations.
The Jammu & Kashmir Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident. “The truck has been moved to the nearest police station for a thorough search… A thorough investigation is underway, and all updates will be communicated through official channels. Any attempt to disrupt public order or spread false information will be dealt with strictly,” a police statement read.
Wider Implications
The incident in Baramulla comes just over a year after three men were allegedly tortured to death by army personnel at a 48 Rashtriya Rifles unit camp in Poonch, which led to a major controversy. More recently, a man died in Kathua district after being taken into police custody for suspected militant links, with authorities claiming he died by suicide, while activists allege custodial torture.
As calls for a transparent and time-bound inquiry grow, this latest incident threatens to further strain relations between security forces and the local population, complicating efforts to achieve long-term stability in Jammu & Kashmir.
Sources By Agencies
