Chatergham firing ‘case of mistaken identity’: Army

Have learnt lessons to avoid such incidents in future: Gen Hooda

5 Dariya News

Srinagar 07-Nov-2014

The Army on Friday while taking responsibility of the Chatergham firing incident remarked that the inquiry would be completed within 10 days.According to the KNS correspondent, addressing a press conference the Northern Army Commander Lt General DS Hooda said that the eyewitness account of the incident has been recorded and that no pre- conclusion could be drawn. “Rs 10 lakh each shall be given to the families of two slain youth while the injured would be given Rs five lakh,” he said.“We had the inputs from the intelligence agencies that the militants would pass through the route in the Maruti vehicle and the firing episode was the case of a mistaken identity,” he added.

Addressing newsmen at Badami Bagh army cantonment, General Hooda said that in future, such incidents will not be repeated in future.Expressing solidarity with the bereaved family, he said that the mistake has been committed and that a lesson has been learnt through this one so that the episode of such nature would not be witnessed in future. He also promised a transparent inquiry and action “if rules had been violated.”"There was some information about a white car with militants. Obviously, the identity was mistaken in this case. We take responsibility for the death," he said.Pertinently, army had fired indiscriminately on the Maruti car after it skidded and hit an electric pole at Chattergam area of Budgam. Two teenagers were killed in the incident. (KNS)