Did forces use chemical weapons in recent Bandipora gunfight, SHRC chief asks DC, SSP Bandipora

Petitioner says bodies of five slain militants were torn apart; beyond recognition, use of chemicals is a war crime

Srinagar, Sep 28 (PR): State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Justice (rtd) Bilal Nazki today issued the notices to deputy commissioner Bandipora and senior superintendent of police (Bandipora) asking them to file a detailed compliance report on as to whether the use of chemical weapons was the reason behind mutilation of militant bodies recovered in Bandipora district recently after an encounter.

Taking cognizance of the petition filed before the SHRC by the chairman International Forum for Justice and Human Rights (IFJHR) Muhammad Ahsan Untoo that there were reports of the use of chemical weapons by the forces during encounter as bodies of militants killed in recent encounter at Bandipora were beyond recognition. The petition was filed on September 27. The SHRC chairman has fixed November 16 as the last date for filing the reply.

The petitioner in his application had sought a detailed probe  stating that it was a most heinous crime to use chemical weapon as the bodies of five young militants were blown up into pieces and couldn’t e recognized. The petitioner had also stated that it was not for the first time that such chemical weapons were used by the forces.

The deputy commissioner Bandipora has already stated that if required DNA samples of the all the slain militants would be taken in the wake of claims of six families that their relations were killed in the encounter. The army had claimed that all the five militants killed were foreigners.  The Hizbul Mujahideen outfit too had stated that five slain militants were locals that include Hyder Ali from Brazul Kulgam, Muhamamd Umar from Shopian, Muhammad Sidiq from Bandipora, Mawiya from Kangana Usman from Lolab.

The petitioner said that it is now the responsibility of the doctors who have to find out as to what chemical was used by the forces that resulted in tearing apart the body parts of militants killed in Bandipora. “It is the primary responsibility of the doctors to find out that what kind of chemical was used by the forces,” he said. “Use of any sort of chemical against killing any human is a grave war crime and has been banned by the world community.”