Magisterial Probe Ordered Into Ganderbal Encounter After Terrorist Killed In Operations
Security forces conduct operations in Ganderbal as authorities order a magisterial probe into the encounter, bringing the focus on facts, accountability and due process. Image courtesy: RNA
A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the encounter in Ganderbal following the killing of a terrorist in an overnight security forces operation on March 31 and April 1, 2026.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered the probe on Friday (April 3, 2026) to examine all aspects of the encounter and to ensure justice was served.
“I have ordered a thorough and impartial magisterial inquiry into the Arhama, Ganderbal, incident. The inquiry will examine all the aspects related to the incident and ensure that justice is served,” Sinha posted on X.
The Union Territory’s Home Department’s order asked Ganderbal District Magistrate to investigate the incident and asked the senior officer to submit a report within seven days.
“The issue has been examined, and accordingly, you (District Magistrate) are requested to get a thorough and impartial magisterial inquiry conducted into the matter to ascertain the facts and circumstances leading to the death of Rashid Ahmad Mughal,” the order noted.
The family of Mughal, son of Gull Zaman Mughal and a resident of Chuntwaliwar village in Ganderbal’s Lar, claimed, “he was a civilian with no militant links.”
The Indian Army, along with Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security forces, had conducted a cordon-and-search operation in the Arhama’s forests, after an intelligence input suggested that a couple of terrorists were hiding there.
The Army noted that during the security operations on March 31 and April 1, one terrorist was killed in an encounter, while the forces recovered an AK-56 assault rifle, three magazines, 67 live rounds, and 58 empty rounds at the site of the fighting.
After the Indian Army announced the encounter, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who represents Ganderbal in the Union Territory’s Legislative Assembly, sought “an impartial and time-bound probe with facts made public” on the incident. Opposition leader Mehbooba Mufti also asked for an inquiry.
Following the announcement of a magisterial inquiry into the encounter, another opposition leader, Sajid Yousuf Shah, welcomed the decision. “The inquiry must be conducted in a fair, transparent, and time-bound manner. Ensuring accountability and upholding justice will strengthen public trust and reaffirm confidence in due process,” Shah said. Another opposition party leader, Sajad Lone, said he hoped for “a transparent inquiry” and that justice prevailed.
