Ex-Army Officer Killed, Several Others Injured In Group Clash During Panchayat Polls In Doda

Bhaderwah: A retired honorary Army captain was killed and several persons injured, two of them seriously, in a group clash during the counting of votes at a panchayat block in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, police said.

Reports said that groups clashes following a heated argument during counting of votes at Joura panchayat block in Kahara area of the district.

“Some members of a group held a grudge against the other after facing defeat in the panchayat election. The argument over the issue escalated and people from both the sides attacked each other with stones,” said an eyewitness Jaffer Hussain.

“Clash erupted between two group members in Joura Panchayat of District Doda after a dispute over counting of votes during 3rd Phase of panchayat election,” said ASP Bhadarwah Rajinder Singh.

The deceased has been identified as Mohd Hafiz (60) son of Mohd Shafi resident of Joura Khurd. Two seriously injured who were rushed to a hospital were identified as Hushiyar Singh and Dheeraj Kumar of Joura Khurd, Kahara.