A suspected drug peddler, identified as Parvez, was killed in Jammu on Thursday during a crossfire between police and suspected drug peddlers, according to officials. The incident occurred in the Surre Chak Phallian Mandal area of Satwari, on the outskirts of Jammu.

Police say that a small team was chasing suspected drug peddlers in the area when the police party was fired upon. In the ensuing crossfire, Parvez sustained injuries and was taken to Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH) in Jammu, where he died. Another person was detained. Senior police officers arrived at the scene, and an investigation is underway.

Parvez's family and community members are protesting the killing, alleging that he was innocent and not involved in drug peddling. They gathered at GMC Hospital to demand a probe into the incident. Security was increased at the hospital with additional personnel deployed. A female relative stated, "He is innocent. He was not involved in any wrongdoing. They killed him by firing bullets at him. He is totally innocent and has no links with drug peddling or drug peddlers". The family says that Parvez had gotten married a few months prior to the incident.

Following the public outcry, the administration has appointed the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Jammu as the inquiry officer to investigate the matter. To ensure transparency, a medical board was constituted to conduct the postmortem, and Executive Magistrate Bitty Singh was directed to supervise the entire process and submit a report.

Several political figures have called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the killing. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the use of force by the police has to be calibrated and cannot be indiscriminate. He stressed that Jammu and Kashmir has paid a heavy price in the past due to similar incidents and urged the administration to ensure accountability. He also posted on X, saying the killing was "highly unfortunate and deeply regrettable" and that the incident should be investigated in a transparent and time-bound manner.

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also demanded a time-bound probe into the death. She stated that even if Parvez was a drug dealer, justice should be served through the rule of law.

Tension remains high in the area as the investigation continues. The administration has assured a fair and impartial inquiry into the circumstances that led to the fatal incident.