Army 'Deserter' Killed In Pulwama  

SRINAGAR — A 25-year-old man who was shot dead by suspected militants at Pingleena village in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Wednesday afternoon. The slain was a civilian as he had been declared a deserter during his training, the Army said, dismissing media reports that the slain was a former soldier.

Showkat Naikoo of Jakli son of Mohd Yousuf Naikoo was shot at by masked gunmen outside his home at Naik Mohalla in Pingleena village this afternoon.

A police officer said that the Showkat was immediately rushed to a nearby  hospital where doctors declared him brought dead on arrival.

Soon after the incident a joint team of army and SOG launched a cordon-and-search operation in the area to nab the assailants.

An army spokesman said Naikoo had not taken oath as a soldier even as he was enrolled on 15 Jan 2018 in Territorial Army.

"He went to JAKLI Regimental Center on 21 Mar 2018. Individual went on three days leave on 14 Sep 18 and he never returned, " the spokesman said, adding  Naikoo was "declared deserter on 17 September 2018."

"Technically, after being declared deserter during training, he is a civilian," the spokesman said.

A police spokesman in a statement said: “In Pinglena area of District Pulwama, police attended a gruesome crime spot following reports of killing of civilian in the area. One individual was shot dead by (militants) at 1445 hours today nearby Pinglena main road. He has been identified as Showkat Ahmad Naikoo son of Mohammad Yousuf Naikoo resident of Pinglena Pulwama.”

Police, the spokesman said, has registered a case FIR No. 27/2019 under relevant sections of law in this regard.

“Body was handed over to the family members after completion of medico-legal formalities.”

Officers from the local Police Unit visited the crime spot and are investigating the circumstances which led to this gruesome terror incident, the spokesman added.