Magisterial Probe Ordered, Two Policemen Suspended After Killing Boy in ‘Cross Fire’

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the killing of a Gujjar boy, Parvez Ahmad, in Jammu’s Surya Chak area, amid mounting public outrage.

According to an official statement, the incident occurred on Thursday evening in the Phallian Mandal locality. The District Magistrate of Jammu has tasked the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Jammu South, with conducting the inquiry, which must be completed within two weeks.

The police claim Parvez was a suspected drug peddler who was killed in retaliatory fire during a chase operation. Another individual reportedly escaped from the scene. However, Parvez’s family members have contested the police version, alleging that he was killed in a staged encounter. They also asserted that he had no criminal background and demanded a fair investigation into the circumstances of his death.

Taking cognisance of the family’s allegations and growing public anger, the Jammu and Kashmir Police suspended two officials from the district’s Special Branch. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP), has also been constituted to probe the matter further.

The incident has triggered strong political reactions, with leaders demanding accountability and justice.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in a post on social media platform X, expressed grief and called for a transparent probe. “The killing of Mohd Parvez of Niki Tawi in Jammu is highly unfortunate and deeply regrettable. Use of force by the police has to be calibrated and cannot be indiscriminate. J&K has paid a heavy price in the past because of incidents such as these. This incident should be investigated in a transparent and time-bound manner,” he wrote.

The killing of Mohd Parvez of Niki Tawi in Jammu is highly unfortunate & deeply regrettable. Use of force by the police has to be calibrated & cannot be indiscriminate. J&K has paid a heavy price in the past because of incidents such as these. This incident should be investigated…

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 25, 2025

Former Chief Minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti echoed similar sentiments. In her post, she said, “Mohammad Parvez, a tribal youth, was killed by the police at Surya Chak. Even if he was a drug dealer, we still live in a democratic country where justice is served through the rule of law. The family insists he was innocent. We must not condone a culture of extra-judicial encounters.”

Mohammad Parvez a tribal youth was killed by the police at Surat Chak, Police Station in Satwari yesterday. He’s now been labelled as a drug dealer but even that may be the case we still live in a democratic country where justice is served through rule of law as opposed to khap… pic.twitter.com/HYfsinF7d6

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 25, 2025

MLA Mehraj Malik of the Aam Aadmi Party also condemned the incident, describing it as a “fake encounter.” “Even if he was a drug smuggler, does that give the police the right to kill him? Are we now living under a system where the police act as judge, jury, and executioner?” he wrote on X.

Fake Encounter by J&K police. Even if he was a drug smuggler who gave Police the right to kill? Are we now living under a system where police act as judge, jury, and executioner? Is this the ‘New India’ and new ‘law and order’ under the LG where bullets replace trials, and action…

— Mehraj Malik (@MehrajMalikAAP) July 24, 2025

Member of Parliament from Anantnag-Rajouri and senior National Conference leader, Mian Altaf Ahmad, also condemned the killing. He termed it a “broad daylight murder” and demanded swift justice. “I strongly condemn the killing of a youth, Mohd Parvez, resident of Niki Tawi, in police firing in Jammu yesterday. It is a broad daylight murder. A fast-track investigation should be done and strict action taken against the officials involved. My solidarity and sympathy are with the victim’s family,” he said.

I strongly condemn the killing of a youth, Mohd Parvez, r/o of Niki Tawi, in police firing in Jmu yesterday. It is a broad daylight murder. A fast track investigation should be done & strict action against officials involved. My solidarity & sympathy with the victims family.

— Mian Altaf Ahmad (@MianAltafAhmad) July 25, 2025

Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari voiced serious concern over the contradictory narratives surrounding the incident. He said, “A thorough investigation is essential to uncover the circumstances surrounding the death of a young man, Parvez Ahmad, who was killed during a police shootout on the outskirts of Jammu on Thursday. There are two contradictory accounts: the police claim he was killed in crossfire during an operation against suspected drug peddlers. But his family tells a very different story — they believe he was killed in a fake encounter. In the interest of justice, an impartial and time-bound inquiry is crucial. My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved family.”

A thorough investigation is essential to uncover the circumstances surrounding the death of a young man, Pervez Ahmad, who was killed during a police shootout on the outskirts of Jammu on Thursday.
There are two contradictory accounts: the police claim he was killed in crossfire…

— Altaf Bukhari (@SMAltafBukhari) July 25, 2025

Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmad Rana, stated that he had already spoken to top officials about the incident. “I spoke to the Divisional Commissioner and IGP Jammu over the serious allegations of the murder of a tribal youth, Mohammad Pervez, in an encounter in Jammu yesterday. An inquiry is being initiated to uncover the truth and ensure justice in this case. My deepest condolences and sympathies go out to the bereaved family during this difficult time,” he said. Rana added that the Jammu and Kashmir government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, would ensure that justice is delivered in this matter.

Spoke to Divisional Commissioner & IGP Jammu over serious allegations of murder of a tribal youth, Mohammad Pervez in an encounter in Jammu yesterday.

An Inquiry is being initiated to uncover truth and ensure justice in this case.

My deepest condolences and sympathies with…

— JAVED AHMED RANA (@JavedRanaa) July 25, 2025