Encounter in Shopian ends SPO’s sojourn with militancy
Shopian: Nearly a year after Special Police Officer (SPO) decamped with his weapon from Police Station Shopian, Showkat Ahmad Sheikh who had joined the militants in August last year was among the two ultras killed in Gadhapora gunfight on Friday.
A former Special Police Officer identified as Showkat Ahmad Sheikh, son of Abdul Majeed Sheikh of HermainShopian went missing along with Ak-47 rifle from Police Station Shopian on 25 August last year.
As per sources, Showkat a brilliant student was recruited as an SPO during 2016 agitation.
Belong to a well-off family, Showkat’s father is a senior member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is associated with fruit business, they said, adding that the slain has two brothers and two sisters besides his parents.
Showkat’s elder brother is associated with fruit business while as the younger one is studying at Sanik School Mumbai, they added.
Among two sisters, one is married while the other is working in Social Welfare Department.
As per his friends, Showkat was completely changed man since the killing of local militant Amir Malik who was killed along with his associate and four civilians in a brief shoot out at Pahnoo village of Shopian district in March 2018.
Amir was pursing PG in history at Kashmir University before joining militant ranks.
Official sources told ‘Kashmir Vision’ that his dead body has been handed over to his family for the last rites.
Showkat along with his associate Suhail Ahmad Shah from Arhama was killed in an encounter at GadhaporaShopian on Friday.
Jahangeer Ganaie
