Arun Jasrotia
KATHUA ,DD- Authorities have issued a comprehensive rebuttal against former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s recent social media claims regarding an alleged crackdown in Billawar in , Kathua district. The police statement strongly refutes the allegations, describing them as “baseless and misleading.”
According to official sources, life remains normal in Billawar with schools, colleges, and shops functioning normally. The statement points out that the traffic is going on normally, and internet services are also operating without any break in the Kathua district as alleged.
The response focuses on certain allegations that relate to one Makhandin, who has been identified as the nephew of Pakistani exfiltrated terrorist Swar Din alias Swaru Gujjar. Officials disclose that Makhandin was already under investigation for his suspected links with a terrorist group responsible for the Badnotta Army Convoy attack in July 2024, which had martyred four Army personnel. The same group was also suspected to have been involved in the killing of HC Bashir during the Kohag Operation. According to the authorities, Makhandin had suspicious contacts in Pakistan and other foreign countries. They flatly denied custodial torture allegations, and after being questioned, he returned home where subsequently he took his life.
District Commissioner Rakesh Manhas, IAS, has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. A high-level response team, including Additional SP Operation Billawar Amir Iqbal, Deputy SP Javaid Tabassum, and SDPO Billawar Neeraj Padyar JKPS, has already met with the family members of the deceased and assured them of a fair and transparent investigation.
Furthermore, senior officials have initiated a departmental inquiry to be conducted by DIG JSK Range Shiv Kumar, IPS. The investigating officer has been instructed to submit findings to higher authorities as soon as possible. Law enforcement officials have urged the public to disregard rumors and maintain cooperation with police authorities during the ongoing investigation.DD