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SRINAGAR: The Indian Army has ordered a probe into a fratricidal incident in which two patrolling parties of the same unit opened fire at each other in Tral town of Kashmir Valley, resulting in the killing of two soldiers and injuries to one.
"It was a case of mistaken identity. A probe has been ordered into the matter which will be carried out by the formation commander of the unit," Srinagar-based defence spokesperson, NN Joshi, said. He said the probe committee has been tasked to find out why the two patrolling parties of the same unit were not aware of each others' movement in the area.
The incident took place on Tuesday evening when the patrolling parties of Rashtriya Rifles, the counter-insurgency unit of the Army, mistook each other for militants in the orchards of Noorpur area of Tral and opened fire during which three Army soldiers were injured.
The injured were taken to a nearby hospital where two of them were declared dead. They were identified as Sepoy NK Mohan Boro and Sepoy Lal Chanhlima Ghatak of Indian Army's 42 Rashtriya Rifles.
The Army officials Thursday blamed the "lack of coordination" among the patrolling parties of the Rashtriya Rifles for the death of two soldiers. "As the militant activity is at its peak in Tral, the two parties suspected each other of being militants and opened indiscriminate fire, resulting in casualties," an Army officer said.
The Tral town in south Kashmir has seen a surge in 'New Insurgency' led by Hizb's divisional commander, Burhan Ahmad Wani, whose recent pictures and a video in Army fatigues became an instant hit on Facebook.
According to a police census, about 33 well-educated youths belonging to financially sound families have joined militants this year alone which has raised concern in the security establishment.
Earlier, General Officer Commanding of Srinagar-based 15 Chinar Corps, Lieutenant General Subrata Saha said it was a case of mistaken identity. “It was an unfortunate incident and a mere misunderstanding between the two units that led to the death of two soldiers,” he said.
