Indian Army orders investigation into accusations of civilians' killing during detention

A military official in India stated on Monday that the army has initiated an investigation into the killing of three civilians who were reportedly held by the military in the Indian-controlled part of the Kashmir region. Prominent officers conveyed this information from the disputed area.

Residents in the region, claimed by both India and Pakistan, have said that the civilians were detained for interrogation after militants ambushed Indian army vehicles on Thursday, resulting in the death of four soldiers.

The official, who requested anonymity as he is not authorized to speak to the media, mentioned that the investigation was ordered due to the killing of civilians.

The ambush, set in the forests of the Poonch district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, marked the fifth major attack on Indian forces in the region in the past few months, resulting in the death of 24 security personnel.

India controls a portion of the predominantly Muslim region of Kashmir, while the other part is under Pakistani control. The area has witnessed confrontations between militants and Indian security forces since the 1990s.

The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement that Pakistan "strongly condemns" the killing of civilians and called for those responsible to be held accountable.

Reuters