The death of a 30-year-old man during a “confrontation” with Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) has sparked protests, political criticism and heightened tensions in the mountainous district of Doda, prompting authorities to suspend mobile internet services as security was tightened across the region.
The incident occurred late Thursday night when an SOG team, acting on reports of suspicious movement along the Jaie-Gandoh road near Bhaderwah, intercepted a vehicle during an ambush operation, as per reports.
Police said the deceased, identified as Arif Hussain of Cheeka village, attacked security personnel after being stopped and attempted to snatch a service rifle from one of the policemen, triggering a violent scuffle.
“During the struggle, one SOG personnel fired his weapon after the accused attempted to snatch a government rifle,” an officer said, as per Indian Express.
Three SOG personnel sustained injuries during the altercation, including one with a gunshot wound and another with head injuries, the official said.
However, residents and family members disputed the police account, alleging Hussain was an innocent auto driver returning from a picnic and was “shot without justification”.
“He had gone for a picnic with friends. Around 3 a.m., police came to our house saying he had met with an accident. Later we discovered he had been shot dead,” Amjad, a relative of the deceased, told reporters outside the Government Medical College (GMC) Doda.
“We only want justice.”
Arif Hussain, 30, is survived by his pregnant wife and four-year-old son, according to family members.
The conflicting narratives surrounding the incident have fuelled public anger in Bhaderwah and adjoining areas, where demonstrations broke out on Friday demanding an impartial investigation.
Authorities imposed restrictions on mobile internet services across Doda district to “prevent the spread of rumours and maintain public order.”
Medical officials confirm one civilian dead
Doctors at GMC Doda confirmed that Hussain was brought dead to the hospital. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Irfan Tassaduq said two injured SOG personnel remained admitted and were in stable condition.
“One official sustained injuries to the head while another suffered a shoulder injury. Both are out of danger,” he said.
Medical Superintendent Dr. Tanvir Ahmad said the deceased underwent a post-mortem conducted by a medical board before the body was handed over to his family after medico-legal formalities.
Samples have been preserved and sent to the forensic laboratory in Jammu for examination.
Police have detained a local religious preacher for questioning in connection with the incident. Officials said his role, if any, remains under investigation and no direct link has yet been established.
The police have not formally registered any terrorism-related charges in the case and have not publicly disclosed the precise intelligence inputs that led to Thursday night’s operation.
Political reactions
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti described the incident as “deeply disturbing” and demanded an impartial inquiry.
“Reports emerging from Doda about the killing of a civilian, Arif Hussain, who was allegedly stabbed and then shot dead by security forces, followed by an internet shutdown across the district, are deeply disturbing,” Mufti said in a statement on X.
“The administration must act swiftly to establish the facts and ensure accountability.”
She further cautioned against allowing allegations of cattle smuggling to become a trigger for communal violence.
“Jammu and Kashmir must not be allowed to slide towards a situation where allegations of cow smuggling become a pretext for mob violence and the killing of Muslims,” she said.
Doda MLA Mehraj Malik also called for a fair, transparent and impartial investigation into the incident, urging authorities to establish the facts and ensure justice.
Police have not officially confirmed whether the operation was linked to suspected cattle smuggling, although local officials indicated Hussain’s vehicle had been intercepted following suspicion regarding its movement.
The incident comes as the Jammu region continues to witness heightened security operations following a series of militant attacks over the past two years, particularly across the Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal regions.
Doda, which has experienced sporadic militant activity after years of relative calm, remains an area of intensified security surveillance, with frequent ambushes, vehicle checks and search operations conducted by police and security forces.
While officials maintain that Thursday night’s operation was part of routine security deployment based on specific inputs, the death of a civilian under disputed circumstances has once again placed the spotlight on the conduct of counter-insurgency operations and the need for transparent investigations.
As tensions continue in Bhaderwah, authorities have appealed for calm while investigations into the incident remain underway. No timeline has yet been announced for restoration of mobile internet services.
