SRINAGAR, Feb 4: Indian security forces are probing the alleged killings of innocent civilians in Kashmir who were later labelled as militants so the killers could reap rewards or promotions, a statement said on Sunday.

“An inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cases of fake encounters following media reports alleging involvement of Rashtriya Rifles units in these cases,” an Indian army statement said.

The Rashtriya Rifles is a special counter-insurgency force taken from the army to tackle the rebellion raging in Indian Kashmir since 1989.

“Disciplinary action will be initiated if anyone is found guilty,” the statement added.

Separately, a spokesman for the Central Reserve Police Force said the paramilitary unit had also “constituted an internal inquiry into alleged fake encounters.” Both probes were to be completed within 30 days, officials said.

The probes come two days after the Indian Kashmir administration vowed to use an “iron hand” against the killing of civilians who were then labelled rebels by officers hoping to get rewards or promotions.

On Saturday, two police officers were held on charges of kidnap and murder involving an alleged “fake encounter.”

The killings came to light when police, investigating the disappearance of a missing

Muslim carpenter, traced his mobile phone to a colleague who admitted the man had been abducted and killed, media reports said.

Four other civilians were also believed to have been shot by police who later claimed the victims were Pakistani militants and were rewarded with money and promotions.

—Agencies