‘It Was Do or Die’: Army Reacts to Viral Video of Man Tied to Jeep

The major who took the call was trying to protect the poll officials, according to an army official.

An Indian policeman falls after throwing a piece of stone towards protesters in Srinagar. (Photo: Reuters) 

A viral video on social media showed a man tied to an army jeep, allegedly as a human shield against stone pelting in Budgam, in Jammu and Kashmir. The outrage that followed has now forced the army to investigate the matter.

According to Hindustan Times, an army official described the situation as being “do-or-die” as the stone attacks “sent things spinning out of control”. Men and women in Budgam were apparently pelting stones at a five vehicle army convoy, carrying 12 poll officials, on repolling day on Thursday.

The major who volunteered to serve in Kashmir took the call, deciding not to open fire and unleash a bloodbath.

Army official to <i>Hindustan Times</i>

The video of the incident was initially tweeted by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Also Read: Man Tied to Army Jeep in Video Identified as Budgam Resident

The man who was used as a human shield has been identified as Farooq Dar, while the army unit involved in the act was 53 Rashtriya Rifles.

Officials investigating the matter on the instructions of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, said Dar is a resident of Sitaharaan village in Khag tehsil of Budgam in central Kashmir. During the investigation, Dar said he was out to cast his vote and later visit his sister’s house, where a bereavement had taken place, to offer condolences.

Dar told investigators that after exercising his right to vote, he was proceeding towards his sister's village when he was caught by the army personnel who wanted to enter Beerwah village along with the polling staff, the officials said.

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