Police: Villager dies at LoC throughout Army search operation

A 53-year-old villager of Gurez, who was picked up by the Army for questioning, died on the LoC throughout a search operation on Saturday, police stated.
Police sources stated that Abdullah Hajam, a resident of Tarbal village, which falls on the LoC in Bandipore district, was picked up by the Army on Friday evening for questioning.
The Army stated that he slipped and died whereas accompanying them throughout a search operation.
“Today Army unit of 06 Maratha LI (Light Infantry) approached Police Post Izmarg Gurez Bandipora and reported that one Abdullah Hajam age about 53-54 years resident of Tarbal was accompanying them for a search operation during the intervening night of 30-31/7/21. While conducting searches in the dense forest area along with said person, suddenly he slipped into a deep nalla and got injured. He was shifted to Battalion headquarters for treatment. However, despite all possible efforts the injured succumbed to his injuries before being shifted to other hospital,” the police stated in an announcement late Saturday.

The police stated they’ve began investigations into the custodial loss of life to “ascertain facts and circumstances”.

“The medico-legal formalities were completed at Sub District Hospital Gurez. Investigation in the matter is in progress,” the police added. Police sources stated that instantly after the loss of life of the villager, cell communication within the space was snapped. On Sunday, the Army barred a gaggle of journalists from visiting the village of the deceased.