Police officer beaten to death in Srinagar
A policeman was lynched to death after he opened fire at a group of people who caught him clicking pictures near a mosque in Nowhatta area of Srinagar on Thursday evening.
Three people were injured in the firing. The incident happened during prayers at around 12 am.
Police reinforcements were rushed to the area to restore normalcy.
The police officer was identified as Deputy Superintendent Mohammed Ayub Pandith.
“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”, quoting Police officials a Delhi based news agency reported.
As the officer was not in uniform, the police identified him after his family called his mobile phone, reports said.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir police in a statement said, “Another police officer sacrificed his life in the line of duty. DySP Mohammed Ayub Pandith of Security attacked and beaten to death by a mob at Nowhatta last night.”
Ayub’s body was taken to police control room for identification and other legal procedures. The situation in the old city has turned tense following the incident, police sources said.
As a precautionary measure, the authorities have already announced restrictions on the movement of people in seven police station areas of the city.
KV Correspondent
