A sumo driver was killed allegedly by army soldiers during an ambush laid by them after receiving information about the movement of militants in Kralpora area of Kupwara district in north Kashmir.

Police sources told that army had laid an ambush at Thandipora village of Kralpora in Kupwara after they had received an input about the movement of militants. In the meanwhile, family sources told that a sumo driver namely Asif Iqbal son of Muhammad Iqbal, whose sumo’s registration number is JK05C 7608, came out of his house to start his vehicle as he needed to ferry some patient to a hospital.

“As he came few yards from his house, the army fired at him, leaving him in pool of blood. He succumbed enroute to Srinagar at Sopore,” the sources in family of the deceased said. The body of the slain was on way to his house when reports last came in.

Police sources told that the sumo driver was directed to stop by army but he did not and was fired upon by them. “They had input about the militants but when he was directed to stop, he did not abide and they shot him,” said the sources.

Meanwhile, SSP Kupwara Shamsheer Hussain while confirming the killing told that it was a case of “mistaken identity”.

“As per army authorities version, soldiers had laid an ambush in the area. The sumo driver was asked to stop but he didn’t and was then shot by them. This is very unfortunate and regrettable. We will hold an enquiry into the matter and whosoever is guilty would be punished. “We appeal people to cooperate with us to know under what circumstances the army fired. We request them not to take law into their hands and cooperate with us,” the SSP added. 

Meanwhile, in wake of the killing authorities have blocked internet services in the frontier Kupwara district.

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