The Defence minister Mr.A K Antony today ordered an inquiry into the killing of a youth in Kashmir. Hilal Ahmad Dar, a resident of Aloosa in Bandipora district, was killed in army firing late on Tuesday night, triggering protests in the area. The local residents had alleged that Dar was killed in custody. Ordering the inquiry, Mr. Antony has directed the Army to take strict action against anyone found guilty.

Earlier, the Army had ruled out any inquiry into the matter contending that the youth was a militant as weapons were recovered alongside him. General Officer Commanding of the Army's 15 Corps Lt General Om Prakash said in Srinagar that the operation in which the youth was killed in Bandipora district on Tuesday night was based on intelligence inputs about movement of militants for the past three days through the area.