Net shut, Doda on edge after man shot dead by cops in cattle smuggling stakeout

Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district saw heightened tension on Thursday night when a 30-year-old man was shot dead during a confrontation with the state police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) in a cattle smuggling stakeout. The incident occurred on the Jai valley road, approximately 30 kilometers from Bhaderwah town, a popular tourist destination. Local authorities responded swiftly, suspending mobile internet services in the district and deploying additional security forces to manage the growing unrest. According to police sources, the SOG team had been monitoring suspicious activity in the area, which led to the interception of two individuals suspected of involvement in cattle smuggling. During the encounter, one of the suspects allegedly attempted to seize an automatic weapon from a SOG member. As the situation escalated, the weapon discharged, resulting in injuries to both the suspect and three SOG personnel. The victim, identified as Arif Hussain, was later pronounced dead at the Government Medical College Hospital in Doda after being transported from the sub-district hospital in Bhaderwah. The extent of injuries suffered by the SOG members remained undisclosed at the time of reporting. News of the incident quickly spread, prompting anger among local residents. Protests erupted in Bhaderwah and surrounding areas, with groups such as Anjuman-e-Islamia calling for a shutdown. In response, authorities imposed an internet blackout in the district to curb misinformation and prevent the escalation of unrest. Law enforcement agencies took measures to detain a local resident, though the reasons behind the arrest were not immediately clarified. Despite these efforts, tensions persisted, with senior officials stationed in Bhaderwah overseeing the situation. Arif Hussain, according to local claims, was an auto driver who had left his home for a picnic. His family was initially informed by the police that he had been involved in an accident before learning of the fatal shooting. This discrepancy in information fueled public outrage, with some residents expressing concerns over the transparency of the incident. A relative of the deceased has since alleged that the family was misled regarding the cause of Arif’s death. In addition to the ongoing investigation, preliminary findings suggest that the incident does not appear to involve terrorism. Instead, authorities suspect that Arif was engaged in cattle smuggling activities. A religious preacher has been detained for questioning, although his connection to the case remains unclear. The police have not yet released an official statement detailing the circumstances of the shooting or the status of the injured SOG personnel. To contain the situation, the administration has increased security presence in Bhaderwah, with additional personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force and the state police deployed in the region. The Indian Army has also initiated a search operation in the Jaie area, indicating a broader effort to assess the situation and prevent further incidents. As the investigation continues, the community awaits clarity on the events that unfolded, with calls for accountability and justice for the victim.