Army takes full responsibilty of Budgam killings

Northern Army commander, Lt General DS Hooda admitted that the incident was a case of mistaken identity and was a blot in Army's face. 

He said: "We are admitting mistakes have happened. There was some information about a car in which terrorists were travelling - it's a case of mistaken identity. Circumstances are being investigated, we take responsibility for what has happened. Not tried to cook up some story. We take responsibility - the inquiry will determine how this mistake took place." 

He asserted, "Army is committed to ensuring such incidents don't take place. We will refine our drills, come up with steps that such things do not happen. Assure everyone highest standard of transparency will be followed."

At the same time he maintained, "AFSPA has nothing to do with this. Let investigation be complete, action will be taken. Firing did take place, there's no way we can disregard the eyewitness version. Statements of injured, civilian witnesses taken from that area. Not much dispute from what has been admitted by us."

In an open firing on a private vehicle, the army killed two civilians while two others were injured after at Chatergam area in central Kashmir's Budgam district  late evening of  Monday.

Soldiers of 53 RR tried to stop the vehicle during a night patrolling at the Main Market of Chatergam. The vehicle didn't stop and sped away, prompting the Army to open fire. 

In the incident, four occupants of the Maruti 800 car sustained critical bullet injuries. All the injured were taken to army's 92 base hospital here in Srinagar for treatment.

Two of them identified as Faizal Mohammad and Mehraj-ud-Din Dar, residents of Nowgam, were pronounced dead on arrival.

"The Budgam incident in the Kashmir Valley is highly regrettable. A fair enquiry will be held and action taken against those found guilty," tweeted Jaitley. 

Kashmiris expressed anger on the streets over the firing and deaths. Soon after the firing the stone-pelting clashes  broke out at Nowgam and its adjoining area, reports said, adding that forces used tear gas shells and opened few shots in air to disperse the protesting youth.

Facing wrath, Army promised action and a fast inquiry into the incident that has provoked massive outrage and three days of protests in the Kashmir valley.

Later, probe revealed that the deceased persons were normal civilians. The vehicle actually skidded and hit an electric pole when it was fired at by soldiers. Both the civilians killed were teenagers.

Hooda on Friday admitted, "With all the work done during floods, incidents like this take us back."

It has been learnt that the unit which was responsible for the tragic incident has now been replaced.