Srinagar, April 17, 2014 : Unidentified gunmen killed a 45 year old Muhammad Amin Pandith in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on late Thursday evening.
Police claimed that suspected gunmen fired upon Muhammad Amin Pandith (45)son of Abdul Ahad Pandith of Gulzarpora outside his residence in Awantipora area.
“Amin was moved to nearby hospital where doctors declared him brought dead,” he said.
Mohammad Amin Pandith, 45, was also a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) worker and a viallge head (Sarpanch). Relatives of deceased Sarpanch told reporters that a group of gunmen entered their house at Gulzarpora, Awantipora, in Pulwama district last night at around 2230 hrs and kidnapped Mohammad Amin Pandith. “However, after some time we heard gun shots and rushed out,” said adding that 45-year-old Amin was shot in the head, who died on the spot.
Talking to media persons, Abdul Rahim, brother of the victim, said their neighbour, Farooq Ahmad, entered into their house late last night. “Farooq told my younger brother that some persons wanted to meet him outside. Amin followed him. After 10 or 15 minutes we heard gunshots from a neighbouring area and rushed towards the spot. We found Amin lying in a pool of blood. Amin was removed to hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead,” he said.
Rahim added that Amin was associated with PDP but was not politically active in recent past. “He did not take part in any election related activity. It seems that the gunmen wanted to slit his throat. But he resisted and he was shot dead,” he said. Police today summoned Farooq to police station and questioned him. Amin is survived by his wife two daughters and a son.
In March this year 80-year old father of the PDP Sarpanch was killed by unknown gunmen or anti Kashmir attackers at Dogripora in Awantipora.
The killing occurred at a time when National Conference (NC) and PDP are engaged in war of words and blaming each other for the attacks on rival leaders and workers.
Family members of the victim said they do not known whether the gunmen were militants or somebody else.
People’s Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti Friday held National Conference President Farooq Abdullah responsible for the killing of PDP Sarpanch on Thurdsay.
International human rights watchdog Amnesty International has condemned the killing of the sarpanch. Amnesty International has expressed concern over Amin’s killing and appealed for an end to the killings.
“Attacks by armed groups on civilians demonstrate contempt for fundamental principles of humanity,” said Amnesty International India. It demanded that perpetrators in shooting of sarpanch must be brought to justice in proceedings that meet international fair trial standards.
Amnesty International consistently opposes human rights abuses committed by all types of armed men in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The perpetrators in the shooting of Mohammad Amin Pandit must be brought to justice in proceedings that meet international fair trial standards. Authorities must investigate all human rights abuses promptly, effectively and transparently,” the AI said.