Man Dies in Cross-Firing During Police Action in Jammu; Family Stages Protest

 Hemani Kandhari 

Jammu, July 24:

A 21-year-old man lost his life in cross-firing after a police team came under attack while chasing suspected drug peddlers in the Surey Chak area, under the jurisdiction of Satwari Police Station, today.

According to officials, the incident took place when police were conducting an operation against drug-related activities. During the chase, some unidentified individuals opened fire on the police team.

In the exchange of gunfire, Mohammad Parvez, a resident of Javed Nagar near Nikki Tawi, sustained critical injuries. He was immediately taken to the Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital in Jammu, but doctors declared him dead shortly after his arrival.

Following the incident, Parvez’s family members and locals gathered outside GMC Jammu and held a protest. They alleged that Parvez had no links to drug peddling and was wrongly targeted.

According to the family, the young man was working as a labourer and was engaged in loading sand from the Tawi River as part of his daily work routine when the firing took place.

Senior police officials have taken note of the incident and visited the site. A thorough investigation has been initiated to ascertain the exact sequence of events and determine if there was any wrongdoing.

The protestors also claimed they were prevented from entering the emergency ward of the hospital, which added to their anger and grief.

Meanwhile, one suspected drug peddler was killed in the encounter and another has been detained, police sources said.

The situation remains tense in the area as locals continue to demand justice and accountability. A thorough investigation has been launched to ascertain the exact sequence of events.