DSP lynching: Main accused killed in encounter, 20 others arrested, says police

Mangalore Today News Network

Srinagar, Jul 24 2017, DH News: Jammu and Kashmir police Monday claimed that they had cracked the Dy SP Ayub Pandith lynching case by arrested 20 people.

Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant Sajid Gilkar, who was killed in an encounter with security forces on July 12, according to police, played a key role in instigating the mob on the fateful night of June 22.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Muneer Khan Monday said investigation in the case is going on expeditiously and effectively. “20 of the accused have been arrested and more arrests are expected in coming days. One of the main accused was killed in an encounter with security forces in Budgam recently,” he said while addressing a press conference here.

Describing the lynching of Pandith as serious and the first of its kind of incident in the Valley, Khan said police found that four miscreants, including slain Gilkar, played a major role in instigating the mob against Pandith.

On June 22, Pandith, who was in civvies, was reportedly caught clicking pictures outside the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar on Shab-e-Qadr, the holiest night for Muslims during Ramzan, following which the officer opened fire with his service pistol, injuring three people. A frenzied mob, raising pro-Pakistan and pro-al-Qaida slogans, stripped and lynched him. The incident triggered outrage across Kashmir, drawing all-round condemnation.

IGP Khan appreciated the help given by civilians during the investigation. “People voluntarily came forward and helped us in the case. It was only because of the help of general public that we could go ahead in the case. First we arrested three of the accused who led us to others evidence,” he said and added the iron rod used to beat Pandith has been recovered along with his pistol and his cell phone.

Khan said they will question moderate Hurriyat chairman and Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in the case “if need arises.” The 57-year-old police official was part of the security grid deployed for devotees attending the night-long prayers which were led by the Mirwaiz.

Sources told Deccan Herald three among the 20 arrested persons, are those who were shot at by Pandith and were later admitted to hospital. “Police took all the three into their custody in the hospital and during the questioning they gave vital inputs to the investigating agency,” they revealed.