The Jammu and Kashmir government, via an order from the Home Department on the directions of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, has instructed the District Magistrate of Ganderbal to conduct a “thorough and impartial” magisterial inquiry into the killing during the encounter in Arahama, Ganderbal. The probe must be completed within seven days, with the report submitted to the Home Department.
The encounter (Op Arahama): The Indian Army’s Chinar Corps first launched a cordon-and-search operation, which was later joined by the Jammu and Kashmir Police on the night of March 31, in the Arahama area of Ganderbal district. The Army said the operation was based on specific intelligence inputs about suspicious movement and possible terrorist presence. Initial firing occurred overnight, and on April 1, the Army announced that one terrorist had been neutralized and that some arms had been recovered.
The deceased was initially described as an “unidentified terrorist.” He was later identified by authorities as Rashid Ahmad Mughal, a 28-year-old local from the Chountwaliwar/Lar area in Ganderbal. His family confirmed the identity when police asked them to identify the body.
The family has disputed the security forces’ claim, asserting that Rashid was a civilian with no links to terrorism.
Ajaz Ahmad, brother of the slain Rashid Ahmad Mughal, said that he had left home on Tuesday morning but did not return. “He left home in the morning and didn’t return. Yesterday, the local police asked us to identify the body, and it was found to be my brother,” he said.
Ajaz said that his brother had no links to terrorism. “We are shocked to hear this. He was totally innocent and was killed,” he said, adding that the clothes his brother was wearing when he left home were not the same as those he saw on Wednesday.
The family’s demands were backed by almost all regional political parties, including the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party, while the BJP welcomed LG Sinha’s probe order.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called for a “transparent and time-bound probe” with the facts made public, saying the family’s claims should not be dismissed lightly.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti also demanded a fair and impartial inquiry and alleged that the encounter was a “fake encounter.”
This magisterial inquiry ordered today is the government’s formal response to address these questions.
Magisterial probes like this are standard in Jammu and Kashmir for encounter-related deaths to establish facts and circumstances. In a post on X, the Office of the Jammu and Kashmir LG stated that the inquiry will examine all aspects related to the incident to ensure that justice is served.
Later, an official probe order was issued. According to the order issued by the Home Department:
“Kindly refer to the encounter that took place at Arahama, Ganderbal, on 01.04.2026, resulting in the death of Raashid Ahmad Mughal S/o Late Gull Zaman Mughal, R/o Chuntwaliwar Lar, Ganderbal.
The issue has been examined and, accordingly, you are requested to get a thorough and impartial magisterial inquiry conducted into the matter to ascertain the facts and circumstances leading to the death of Raashid Ahmad Mughal S/o Late Gull Zaman Mughal. The inquiry may be completed within a period of seven (07) days and the report be submitted to the Home Department.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) J&K unit welcomed the decision of LG Sinha, saying it will clear the confusion, as the BJP believes in justice.
BJP Jammu and Kashmir spokesperson Altaf Thakur said, “We welcome LG Sinha’s decision to order a probe into the encounter death. We (BJP) always believe in justice, and the time-bound probe will clear the picture.”
Police in Ganderbal have said they are verifying his background, including any possible terrorism record, while the Army has stood by its operational details.
