Thu Jul 24 19:05:49 UTC 2025: ## News Article:
**Man Killed in Jammu Shootout, Sparking Protest and Allegations of Fake Encounter**
**Jammu, July 25, 2025 (The Hindu)** – A 21-year-old man, Mohammad Parvez, died of “bullet wounds” following a shootout in the Satwari area of Jammu late last night, triggering protests from his family and community.
According to official sources, the incident occurred during a police chase of suspected drug peddlers. Parvez, a resident of Javed Nagar, Nikki Tawi, was declared dead at the Government Medical College, Jammu. The J&K Police have yet to issue a formal statement.
The death has ignited anger, with protestors gathering outside the hospital, alleging a “fake encounter.” Tribal activist Talib Hussain vehemently denied any involvement of Parvez in drug smuggling, stating, “It’s a fake encounter. Parvez never faced any First Information Report.”
Hussain further claimed that Parvez and his brother-in-law were stopped at a checkpoint and fired upon. He criticized the police’s handling of the situation, arguing that if Parvez was involved in criminal activity, he should have been arrested and tried according to the law. He also raised concerns about the deaths of Gujjars in the region, citing the case of Altaf Lali, who allegedly died in custody after being arrested for cattle smuggling.
“For many months, Gujjars have been killed in the name of cattle smuggling and drug smuggling. We have been silent over the past incidents, but this needs to be investigated,” Hussain stated.
The family of the deceased said that Parvez was involved in sand mining from the Tawi River.
Officials have stated that an investigation into the incident is underway. The incident is likely to further inflame tensions in the region.
First Piper 