JAMMU, July 25 -- The killing of a 21-year-old Gujjar youth in a police firing incident in the Phallain Mandal area of Jammu district on Thursday has ignited a political storm across Jammu and Kashmir. Leaders from across the political spectrum, including chiefminister Omar Abdullah and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, have called for a transparent and time-bound investigation into the matter.

The deceased, identified as Parvez Ahmad alias Bachu, son of Rehmat Ali and a resident of Javed Nagar in Nikki Tawi, was reportedly killed during a police raid conducted by the special branch in Surre Chak, Phallain Mandal. According to police, the raid was part of an anti-drug operation, and Parvez was killed in retaliatory fire after officer...