KASHMIR

Srinagar: Mob lynches senior cop outside Jamia Masjid

INDIA-KASHMIR-PAKISTAN-CONFLICT [Representational] Situation in Srinagar has turned tense following the officer's death | AFP

Situation turns tense; restrictions imposed as a precautionary measure

A violent mob in Srinagar lynched a senior police officer last night outside Jamia Masjid, officials said on Friday.

The body of Deputy Superintendent of Police Ayub Pandit was recovered Friday morning from outside the Jamia Masjid in the Nowhatta area of the old city where he was attacked. 

The police officer was on duty when the mob attacked him, a police spokesman said.

DGP S P Vaid termed the killing as sad and unfortunate.

"The official was killed by the mob while he was performing his duties. It's a very sad and unfortunate incident," the DGP said.

While the reason for the attack is still not confirmed, various reports suggest that an irate mob attacked Pandit after he allegedly opened fire at a group of people who caught him clicking pictures near the mosque in downtown area of Srinagar, even as hundreds were busy in prayers during the holiest night of the Muslim calendar called the 'Shab-e-Qadr'.

He was reportedly clicking pictures of people while they were coming out of the mosque. They said people tried to catch the man who allegedly fired several shots from his pistol, injuring three persons. 

The irate mob then caught hold of him and stripped him naked before stoning him to death, the sources said. His body was taken to police control room for identification and other legal procedures, they said adding the situation in old city has turned tense following the incident.

However, informed sources said, "The officer was on frisking duty at the Jamia Masjid. He was carrying out his duties as usual when the miscreants attacked him... He tried to free himself and even fired in self-defence, injuring three. But the mob managed to lynch him," the sources said. 

Reports said Pandit's security guards ran away after they found the mob too large to be handle.

The angry mob also went on a rampage targeting empty security pickets erected in the area. Police reinforcement were rushed in to restore normalcy in the area.

Pandit belonged to Khanyar area which is adjacent to Nowhatta where he was killed. He had been at the mosque post for quite sometime and many locals who regularly visited knew him.

Policemen posted in the security wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police do not wear uniform as a matter of service regulation.

The authorities have already announced restrictions on movement of people in seven police station areas of the city as a precautionary measure.

The restrictions, which would come into force at dawn, were announced to maintain law and order as separatists had called for protests after Friday prayers against killing of a civilian during protests in Kakapora area of Pulwama District yesterday. 

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