Srinagar: A police officer was beaten to death by a mob during the night in Srinagar, outside the historic Jamia Masjid after he opened fire on people at Nowhatta.
Reports said a group of people caught hold of the police officer while he was suspiciously clicking photographs around the grand Mosque, were the moderate separatist leader Mirvaiz Umar Farooq was addressing worshipers on the occasion of Shab-e-Qader.
Initially the cop was taken held for questioning, however the angry mob around got hold of him and the officer was beaten to death when he in self defence opened fire on them, according to one report.
Police on Friday morning identified the police officer as DSP Mohd Ayoub Pandit.
“Another police officer sacrificed his life in the line of duty,” a police statement said, “DSP Mohammad Ayub Pandit of the police security wing was attacked and beaten to death by a mob at Nowhatta last night.”
Witnesses said that a group of youngsters got hold of the DSP in civil clothes outside Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta and thrashed him. In the melee, the DSP opened fire on the attackers that resulted in injuries to three persons.
The mob then snatched the pistol of the police officer. The injured civilians have been identified as Danish Mir, Mudasir Ahmad and Sajad Ahmad Bhat. The three are said to have been hospitalized.
The incident happened when Shab-e-Qadr prayers were under way in the historic Jamia Masjid mosque of Srinagar. This is the first incident of lynching in Kashmir Valley.
Saahil Suhail is reporter with Early Times Jammu and contributes to Times Now, Mirror Now and All India Radio. He is lives in Anantnag, J&K and can be reached out on [email protected] or +91 94190 48086
