Impunity now norm in J-K: Mehbooba on bear attack on man used as 'human shield' by Army

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti alleges that a Kashmiri man was used as a human shield by the Army, leading to a bear attack, and claims no action has been taken despite media reports.

Silence and ''impunity'' have become a ''norm'' in Jammu and Kashmir, People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti said on Friday, citing reports of a man being attacked by a bear in a cave in Kulgam district after he was allegedly used as a ''human shield'' by the Army during a search operation.

Mehbooba claimed despite media reports, the police or the Army had taken no action over the alleged incident so far.

''It has been over a week since Mohammad Jehangir Malik of Khul Noorabad was allegedly used as a human shield by RR (Rashtriya Rifles) personnel during a search operation in Gujjar Basti. Forced to enter a cave during the operation, he was attacked by a bear and critically injured, requiring hospitalisation,'' Mehbooba said in a post on X.

''Yet, till date, no action has been taken by either the police or the concerned RR camp. Silence and impunity have become the norm,'' she alleged.

The Army has not commented over the alleged incident so far.