Jammu: Pakistan’s Border Action Team is suspected to have decapitated a porter, who was among two civilians killed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district on Friday, and taken away the head, officials said here.
This is the first time that any civilian has been beheaded by the BAT, which comprises Pakistani army regulars and terrorists, though similar incidents involving security personnel have taken place in the past, they said.
The body of Mohammad Aslam (28) was badly mutilated and his head was missing, a senior police officer said.
Army Chief Gen MM Naravane on Saturday said that professional armies never resort to “barbaric” acts and they “will deal appropriately with such situations in a military manner”.
A defence spokesman had earlier said that Aslam and Altaf Hussain (23), both residents of Kassalian village of Gulpur sector, were killed and three others injured after being hit by a mortar shell when Pakistani Army targeted a group of Army porters who were carrying logistics for the troops in a forward area close the LoC on Friday.
However, officials said on Saturday that the head of one of the porters was missing and is believed to have been taken away by the BAT.