US probe says no wrongdoing
A US Navy investigation has ruled out any wrongdoing into the killing of one Indian fisherman in a firing incident off the Persian Gulf last year that also injured three others.
“The investigation found that the use of force was appropriate and in accordance with Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Standing Rules of Engagement,” said the report released by the Commander of the US Naval Forces Central Command.
Soon after the incident on July 16, 2012, India had called for a transparent investigation.
An Indian fisherman was killed and three others were wounded when a security team on board the US Navy ship fired at their small boat off the Dubai coast.
The investigation report said the entire sequence of events occurred in less than two minutes.
“The boat’s rapid closure speed, apparent collision course, and failure to respond to two attempts to warn the approaching boat, led the EST (US Navy embarked security team) to make a reasonable assessment that the boat represented an imminent threat and was demonstrating hostile intent. The embarked security team responded with direct fire,” the report said.
“The investigation made several recommendations. These include commencing escort operations into the UAE further off shore, and exploring the use of different warning devices,” the report of the Commander of the United States Naval Forces Central Command said. — PTI
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