Residents of Nazneenpora village in Shopian district alleged government forces vandalised the family home of an active militant on Sunday night, a month after an unsuccessful attempt at torching it.
They accused soldiers arrived in Nazneenpora around 8pm and ransacked the house of Syed Naveed, an active militant with Hizbul Mujahideen group.
“They smashed the window panes of his (Naveed’s) home and damaged the doors,” a villager said, speaking on condition of anonymity fearing reprisal.
“The war is between militants and the forces. We don’t understand why they are dragging innocent family members in it?” another villager asked.
Defence spokesperson Rajesh Kalia refuted the allegation, saying no army man had ransacked or damaged the property of any one in the area.
“The allegations are baseless. Army doesn’t indulge in any kind of vandalism,” Kalia told Greater Kashmir.
Earlier on August 29, government forces allegedly attempted to torch Naveed’s family home during an overnight raid. The house, according to the residents, was saved by timely intervention of neighbours.
The flames, however, consumed one of its rooms, they say.