Srinagar: Suspected militants on Wednesday shot dead a shopkeeper in Habba Kadal area here, a day after a police officer was killed in a similar attack in Nowgam area of the city outskirts.
25-year-old Umar Nazir Bhat was standing outside his mobile accessories shop in the congested Habba Kadal market on Wednesday evening when pistol borne youth opened fire upon him from a close range, a police official said. A resident of adjoining Kalashpora locality, Wani sustained multiple gunshot injuries in the attack. He was removed to the SMHS hospital for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries.
Medical Superintendent, SHMS Hospital Dr Kawaljeet Singh told Kashmir Observer that the youth died while the doctors were operating upon him for multiple gunshot wounds.
“He had received three bullets. Two in his chest and one in abdomen,” Singh said.
According to the locals, Bhat had been running the shop in the busy marketplace for over six months.
A cordon and search operation was launched by police and CRPF to nab the killers of the shopkeeper. Senior police officers also rushed to the spot to assess the situation.
Bhat’s killing comes a day after Pervaiz Ahmad Dar, an inspector of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) wing of police was shot dead by militants in Kanipora locality of Nowgam in the city outskirts on Tuesday evening when he was on his way to a local mosque to offer prayers.
Meanwhile, the police have claimed the hand of Lashka-e-Taiba’s shadow outfit The Resistance Front into the killing of the shopkeeper.
“These innocent killings of civilian and local policemen are being committed by local militants of LeT (self claimed as TRF) on the instruction of militant Abbas Sheikh. They have been indulging in the crimes for money being paid by Pakistani handlers. These criminals are falsely labelling these innocent persons as informers to hide their sin,” IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said, as per a police spokesperson.
The police spokesperson further said that the investigation into the matter is in progress and officers continue to work to establish the circumstances which lead to this militant crime.
“Area has been cordoned off and search in the area is going on,” he added.
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