J-K village defence guard ‘thrashed’ after firing in air on Independence Day eve, constable suspended

The next morning, he was summoned to Premnagar police outpost, where he was allegedly beaten up by a selection grade constable, Mohammad Zia.

“Zia has been placed under suspension with immediate effect and attached to the Doda district police lines,” a police spokesperson said. This followed Doda SSP Sandeep Mehta taking serious note of the incident, he said.

Meanwhile, a departmental inquiry was ordered and a senior officer was asked to investigate the incident comprehensively and submit his report within a fortnight, the spokesperson said.

In addition, the conduct of the then Thathri Station House Officer, DySP Afeer Jaleel, will also be thoroughly examined, he said. The inquiry officer has been directed to assess his role and submit specific findings for further necessary action, the spokesperson said.

Balbir Singh said that after noticing suspicious movement by some unidentified people, he had first issued a warning to them, and after finding no response, he fired two rounds into the air.

“We were told to be alert about any suspicious movement as Independence Day was near. There was also a threat perception. I was only performing my duty,” he said.

Security forces had an elaborate security system in place for the first Independence Day since Operation Sindoor. The Army had a three-layered security system in place on the Line of Control, with smart fences, robotic mules, quadcopters, advanced surveillance tools, night vision sights and all-terrain vehicles being deployed.