Indian Major who used a Kashmiri as human shield goes unpunished

Indian Army Court of Inquiry acquitted an officer accused of tying a man to his jeep while patrolling in the Indian Held Kashmir on Monday, said a foreign news agency.

The officer intended to use the man as a human shield against any possible ambush.

The video of the incident became viral on the social media showing the 26 years-old Farooq Ahmad Dar strapped to the front of the Indian Army vehicle. He carried a sign on his chest declaring him to be a stone pelter. The incident raised concerns regarding Indian military atrocities in Kashmir, leading to a Court of Inquiry of the responsible officer.

Here’s the video as well. A warning can be heard saying stone pelters will meet this fate. This requires an urgent inquiry & follow up NOW!! pic.twitter.com/qj1rnCVazn

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) April 14, 2017

Surprisingly, however, the military court acquitted Major Ntin Gogol and instead praising him for the “presence of mind to avoid casualties or injuries” and “avoid” stone pelting on forces.

Mr Gogol is an officer of Rashtriya Rifles serving in Indian-held Kashmir.

Dar estimated that he had been driven 20-25 kilometres tied to the jeep.

Once the patrolling was complete, Dar was taken to Central Reserve Paramilitary Force camp Hardapanzoo where he was still tied up to the vehicle.

Later, Dar said he was taken on another ride, this time inside a jeep.

“Am I a toy or a human being?” he said, “The government should take action against” the army personnel.

Referring to the beating he received Dar said, “There are no bruises over the surface but I am hurt on the inside.”

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted the video requesting urgent notice of the matter.