Three terrorists held for killing sarpanch in Kulgam: J&K police
SRINAGAR: Three terrorist associates were arrested after a Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) module allegedly involved in the killing of a sarpanch last week was busted in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Monday.
Sarpanch Shabir Ahmad Mir was shot dead outside his residence in Kulgam on Friday, the third killing of an elected representative this year.
Providing details, Kashmir inspector general of police (IGP) Vijay Kumar said incriminating materials, including two pistols, were recovered, and the vehicle allegedly used in the attack was seized from the Hizbul terrorists.
“Kulgam Police busted terror module of proscribed terror outfit HM involved in recent killing of Sarpanch Shabir Ahmad Mir and arrested three associates actively involved and and recovered incriminating materials, including two pistols, on their disclosure,”
Kumar said. During the course of investigation, it was learnt that Mir was killed by terrorist Mushtaq Yatoo on the directions of Hizbul chief Farooq Nalli, he added. On Sunday, police claimed to have arrested a terrorist and an overground worker for their alleged involvement in the killing of an off-duty CRPF personnel in Shopian district. Thirty-four-year old Mukhtar Ahmad Dohi was shot dead near his residence in Chotirpara area on Saturday.
The killing came days after officials recovered the body of a 28-year-old army jawan, Sameer Ahmad Malla, who went missing from his village while he was on leave. On March 9, an independent sarpanch, Sameer Bhat, was shot dead by terrorists on the outskirts of Srinagar. A week earlier, terrorists shot dead an independent panchayat member, Mohammad Yaqub Dar, in Srandoo area of Kulgam district.
Amid a spurt in targeted killings in the Valley, IGP Kumar had chaired a high-level security meeting in Kulgam on Saturday.