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Srinagar: The reports submitted by the Deputy Commissioner Bandipora and the SSP Bandipora before the state human rights commission (SHRC) have ruled out the use of chemical weapons while fighting militants in an encounter on September 20 this year in which five militants were killed but admits forces use snipers, guns and also the IEDs (Improvise Explosive Devices) to eliminate militants.

The response has come in reply to the notices sent by SHRC after a petition filed by chairman international forum for Justice and Human Rights Muhammad Ahsan Untoo under number SHRC/330/BPR/2018.

According to the Deputy Commissioner Bandipora’s report, on September 20, 2018, on the basis of information about the presence of five militants at village Shokhbaba, Bandipora a joint cordon was launched by police army and the CRPF and the laid down SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) was followed and the civilians who were stuck were first evacuated.

Similarly, the report filed the Senior Superintendent of Police Bandipora reads that the militants opened fire on forces but the forces first evacuated civilians stuck in the compound where militants were hiding. In the encounter all five militants were killed.

The report reads that LMG (Light Machine Guns), INSAS, Ak-47 and IED were used against the militants. The petitioner had sought details as to whether forces were using chemical weapons to kill the militants during encounters.

Reacting to the reply, the petitioner said that it was so unfortunate that forces are using IEDs to blow up houses where militants hide. He said is it that the IEDs are so powerful that besides razing the houses they burn the bodies of militants beyond recognition? “I urge the commission to seek a detailed report from the Government of India over this serious issue,” he said. “Use of IEDs against militants is not only unfortunate but a war crime.”