Alleged fake encounter may haunt Army chief contender
JAMMU, JAN 11 (PTI) : An alleged fake encounter in Jammu and Kashmir in 2001 may return
to haunt Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Bikram Singh, one of the top contenders in the race for being the next Indian Army Chief. A petition by the
mother of an alleged militant killed in firing by Rashtriya Rifles personnel in South Kashmir's Anantnag town in March 2001 has prompted the Jammu
and Kashmir High Court to issue notice to the State Government and the Defence Ministry seeking their response. Lt Gen Singh, then a Brigadier, was
heading the 5 Sector Rashtriya Rifles headquartered in Janglat Mandi in Anantnag. Zaituna, the mother of the alleged militant killed in the firing,
had accused Lt Gen Singh of staging the alleged fake encounter. Lt Gen Singh, one of the senior most army officials after the Army Chief, is said to
be one of the front-runners for the top job.
Asked about media reports on the encounter issue and whether it would hurt his chances of
becoming the next Army chief, Army Chief General V K Singh said, "I have no clue about it." "This report is with you (media). When it comes to us,
after that only we can tell you that what can be done with that," he added.
[State Observer]
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