Shopian firing: Armed forces veterans in Mumbai protest FIR against army personnel in Jammu and Kashmir

Mumbai: Several retired armed forces officers on Monday staged a protest in Mumbai against “coercive steps” against army officers, including Major Aditya Kumar, who have been made an accused in the Shopian firing case, in which three civilians were killed.

Three civilians were killed when army personnel fired at a stone-pelting mob in Ganovpora village in Shopian, prompting Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti to order an inquiry into the incident.

The FIR was registered against personnel of 10 Garhwal Rifles, including Major Kumar, under sections 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the Ranbir Penal Code.

Participants at the protest held at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai included Lieutenant General Kuldeep Singh Brar (retd), who led Operation Blue Star in 1984.

The veterans gathered at the Azad maidan to extend their support to the serving army officials and demanded that the Jammu and Kashmir government withdraw the FIR.