Srinagar/Ludhiana (February 10, 2010): The Border Security Force (BSF) has admitted that it killed a schoolboy outside Srinagar on February 6, 2010. Such confession by security forces in the state is first of its kind.
Zahid Farooq Sheikh, 16, was killed when BSF opened fire on a group of people in Nishat area of Srinagar. “Prima facie evidence has proved the involvement of Lakhwinder Kumar, a jawan of 68 battalion of BSF, in the shootout that resulted in the death of Zahid Farooq Sheikh of Nishat,” said P P S Sandhu, Special Director General (DG) of the BSF.
“We have decided to hand over the jawan to the local police for further investigations. The Jammu and Kashmir Police will do the investigation which will reveal everything.” he added.
Lakhwinder Kumar has been suspended and questioned by senior BSF officers, said sources. Sandhu said investigations till now had found that Zahid died due to a bullet fired at him by the jawan from an AK-47 rifle.
Killing of two teenagers in recent times has multiplied the anger of Kashmiri people against India and its security forces.