Indian army admits 'mistake' in killing two teenagers

Published November 8, 2014
An Indian army soldier takes position near his camp. — Reuters/File
An Indian army soldier takes position near his camp. — Reuters/File

NEW DELHI: The Indian army has admitted it made a mistake in shooting dead two teenagers in restive Indian-held Kashmir this week, a rare public admission of fault by the armed forces.

The teenagers died after soldiers fired at a car on the outskirts of Srinagar on Monday, while another youngster was critically wounded.

“We take responsibility for the death of the two boys in Kashmir,” the chief of the army's northern command, D.S. Hooda, told reporters in Srinagar late Friday in televised remarks.

“We admit a mistake was made... there was some information about a white car with terrorists. Obviously, the identity was mistaken in this case,” the lieutenant general added.

Hooda promised an investigation into the deaths that would be conducted employing “the highest standard of transparency”.

Also read: Clashes in Kashmir after army kills two civilians

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since independence from British colonial rule in 1947, but both claim the scenic Himalayan region in full.

Tens of thousands of people, most of them civilians, have died in fighting between Indian forces and a dozen rebel groups seeking independence or a merger of the territory with Pakistan.

Kashmir is still reeling from devastating floods in September that killed more than 200 people and destroyed public infrastructure and businesses.

Opinion

Editorial

Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...
Digital growth
Updated 25 Apr, 2024

Digital growth

Democratising digital development will catalyse a rapid, if not immediate, improvement in human development indicators for the underserved segments of the Pakistani citizenry.
Nikah rights
25 Apr, 2024

Nikah rights

THE Supreme Court recently delivered a judgement championing the rights of women within a marriage. The ruling...
Campus crackdowns
25 Apr, 2024

Campus crackdowns

WHILE most Western governments have either been gladly facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, or meekly...