Families said Indian Army, its secret agencies, Special Operations Group behind killings: The family members of victim who were killed in Sopore since May 25 have alleged that the killings were the handiwork of Indian agencies and anti movement elements.
People and Hurriyet leaders in Kashmir termed such inhuman incidents as the “handiwork of the Indian secret agencies”, as it happen immediately after the statement of Indian defence minister Manohar Parrikar in which he said that “terrorism will be eliminated by terrorism and a process of target killings will start in Kashmir”. A mysterious killing process started in Kashmir which resulted the loss of many precious human lives in this short span of time.
The new Indian government and its regime in Kashmir are furthering the agenda of Hindu fanatic RSS and they have started a well-planned process of killing the common people in the Kashmir Valley.
The killing of civilians and Hurriyet activists is an indicator that pro-freedom people are being targeted once again as such killings are always aimed at weakening the freedom movement.
They have every kind of state machinery at their disposal and they want to suppress the freedom struggle of Kashmir by their military power and for this purpose they are ready to go to any extent. However, these kinds of actions will not deter people of the conflict zone and until a single Indian trooper in Kashmir, we will continue over political struggle and no power on earth can stop us from achieving our cherished goal. Our peaceful political struggle and voice will continue in any way and at any cost.
25 May: A 24 year old youth Mohammad Rafiq Dar son of Mohammad Akbar Dar resident of Pohru Handwara a telecom worker employee of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was killed by unknown gunmen (Indian armed agents in disguise) in an office at Iqbal Market in Sopore
Unidentified gunmen barged and fired into the Iqra Telecommunications and Electronics a franchisee outlet of BSNL at Iqbal Market in Sopore in north Kashmir Baramulla district. Three workers of the BSNL franchisee were injured in the firing and they were rushed to a local hospital, where doctors referred them to a hospital in Srinagar for treatment.
One among the injured, Mohammad Rafiq Dar (26), son of Mohammad Akbar resident of Pohru Handwara area of Kupwara district, succumbed to his injuries at the Srinagar hospital.
The two injured, Ghulam Mohammad Bhat (40) son of Abdul Majid Bhat resident of Noor Bagh Sopore and Imtiyaz Ahmad Lone (30), son of Abdul Rashid Lone resident of Achabal, Sopore, were being treated in the hospital. “All the injured were firstly shifted to Sub District Hospital, Sopore for treatment where from they were referred to SMHS Hospital in Srinagar. Among the injured Mohammad Rafiq Dar son of Mohammad Akbar resident of Pohru Peth Handwara succumbed to his injuries. Rafiq is survived by 7 siblings including 3 sisters, 4 student brothers and parents.
The Local police spokesman of Sopore police station said that police have registered a case (FIR No 103/2015 under section 307 RPC, 302, 7/27 Act) and investigation has been taken up.
Muhammad Rafiq Bhat, a resident of Sogipora in Kupwara, later died from his injuries at a hospital, a senior police officer told media men. "The two injured are being treated at a Srinagar hospital, where doctors said their condition is critical," the local police officer said.
On condition of anonymity, a telecom operator of Airtel told media men "I had started a telecommunication business at main Chowk of Sopore in 2009 but till yesterday I was not worried as I was doing a good business and customers used to come here for recharging their mobile phones and now suddenly I feel I must wind up."
A number of unemployed youths had gone in for the telecommunication business and hired shops and commercial spaces , But yesterday's attack on BSNL employees has put them in a state of melancholy and they find no option except to wind up their businesses, he said.
‘Why was he killed? The family mourning the loss of a young man. Mohammad Rafiq Dar (alias Rafiq Akbar Hanji), 23, who had recently completed his bachelor’s degree in commerce from Degree College Handwara, died on Monday morning at a hospital in Sringar of injuries sustained in an attack by unidentified gunmen on a BSNL showroom in Sopore. Rafiq, who was working as a marketing executive for Sony mobiles, was at the BSNL outlet with two associates who were also injured in the firing.
Why was he killed Born in Pohroo village in tehsil Handwara of district Kupwara, Rafiq completed his class 10 in government high school Pohroo and his higher secondary degree in government higher secondary school Handwara.
Wasim Akbar Dar, his elder brother, told media men that they were seven siblings, including two sisters. Rafiq, he said, was “number four”, younger than him, while two other younger brothers are students. One sister is married, but the other is helping their unwell mother at home. “Our father Mohammad Akbar Dar Hanji is a labourer, but he provided us with what he could so that we could continue our education.” Rafiq, he said, was earning around Rs 4,000 rupees per month and was hoping to get a better job.
Wasim, who has completed a master’s degree, and is now doing his bachelor’s degree in education said, “On Monday, I was going to sit in the B.Ed examination when a friend from Sopore called me to say that unkonwn gunmen had attacked a BSNL showroom in Sopore where my brother was working. Soon afterwards, I received a call from another person who said that Rafiq was among the three people who had been hit by bullets. I forgot about my exam and rushed to Sopore hospital, but doctors there informed me that the trio had been shifted to Srinagar hospital. My family and I were on the way to Srinagar when someone else confirmed that Rafiq was no more. It is not easy for me to describe what we lost. Rafiq was very honest and a hard worker. No one can heal our wounds.”
26 May: A Hurriyet activist and Muslim Conference JK block president Ghulam Hassan Dar son of Abdul Ahad Dar was killed by unknown gunmen (Indian armed agents in disguise) near his house at Dooru in Sopore
The assailants stormed into the home of Ghulam Hassan Dar in Dooru village near Sopore town on Tuesday evening and gunned him down, a senior police officer told media men. Dar had rented land to a mobile phone company for a tower.
The unknonw gunmen barged into the house at around 9:25pm on Tuesday and fired indiscriminately at Ghulam Hassan Dar son of Abdul Ahad Dar. Dar, son, Tanveer Ahmad, shifted him to hospital but doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Dar said: “Yesterday night, I along with my three brothers were watching a cricket match. My father was in another room. In the meanwhile, three gunmen barged into our house and they told my father why didn’t he shut down the tower and shot him.” The multiple attacks on Telecoms has led to shutdown of the services in various parts of North Kashmir. Majority of the towers have been shut down by the landlords due to fear psychosis. Cellular services in North Kashmir’s Sopore area were adversely affected today. Reports said that three private telecommunication companies completely suspended their operation and only Airtel and state-run BSNL are functioning.
Accusing police of negligence, the son of the victim said that despite repeated requests, police neither took their complaint seriously nor deputed a party for patrolling in Dooru area.
Tanvir Ahmed Dar, the son of the victim told that on May 21, two gunmen barged into their house in broad day light. “We have installed a mobile tower in our yard and the gunmen directed us to force the telecom company to make this tower non-operational. These gunmen also snatched the identity card of my brother and immediately after they left, we approached police station and informed all the senior police officers but they did not take our complaint seriously,” Dar said.
Accusing police of negligence, Dar said that when he approached police station with a complaint the policemen present in the station refused to entertain his complaint. “There are number of landlords in Sopore whose land is being used by cellular companies for tower purposes, when they don’t complain, why you are complaining and militants are only threatening you,” quoting policemen Dar said.
“I appealed police officers to provide security and even I requested them to depute a patrolling party in Dooru village but nobody obliged. The carelessness of police resulted in the death of my father,” he said.
Responding to a question, Tanvir Ahmed Dar said that two gunmen barged into our house on Tuesday night. “They called my father and asked him why he didn’t make the mobile tower defunct. As my father tried to inform them that he has already asked the mobile company to do so, the gunmen pumped at least seven bullets into his body,” he said.
Reacting over the killing of his father by the unknown gunmen, Tanvir Ahmed Dar said he fails to understand what killers want to prove. “Why they ( to whome we don’t know who are these gunmen) want to close the mobile towers in Sopore only. Towers are everywhere in Jammu and Kashmir
May 27, 2015: Unidentified gunmen shot at and severely injured a civilian 20-year-old Bilal Ahmad Nazru (alias Imtiyaz), son of a Mobile Tower Owner Ali Muhammad Nazru resident of Armmohalla, Pattan in Baramulla district . The injured has been shifted to Bone and Joints Hospital Srinagar.
Unidentified gunmen at evening barged into the house of one Imtiaz Ahmad Sofi son of Ali Mohammad Sofi resident of Arm Mohalla Pattan in district Baramulla, landlord for a cellular tower, and fired at him indiscriminately. He was critically injured and removed to Bone and Joints Hospital in Srinagar for treatment.
On June 9: Unknown gunmen (Indian armed agents in disguise) dragged and killed a 45- year old Tehreek-e- Hurriyet member and a pharmacist with the health department Sheikh Altaf-ur-Rehman son of Shiekh Mohammad Yousuf resident of Iqbal Nagar Sopore, in Noor Colony area of the Sopore town while he was walking towards his home from sub-district hospital Sopore after the night duty at Iqbal Nagar in the town. Sheikh received serious head injuries and was immediately shifted to Sub-District Hospital Sopore where he succumbed to injuries. Block Medical Officer, Sopore Dr Masood while confirming the death that Sheikh was working in Sopore hospital as a Pharmacist.
Sheikh Altaf-ur-Rehman is survived by aged 12 and 8 years three daughters, five year son, wife and parents. His brother, according to the family, was killed by Indian Army in 2004 in Srinagar when he was returning from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) UP India where he was pursuing research.
Talking to media men, Mohammad Yousuf Sheikh said that his son Sheikh Altaf-ur-Rehman was killed under a well planned operation carried by the direction of Indian agencies, “Special Operations Group and Army.”
“My son was murdered by Indian agencies. It’s a planned cold-blooded murder. First time, my son took this route to reach home. He would never return home from there. I am sure he did so because he got a mysterious call at 10:34 am and probably the caller asked him to meet him near New Colony. And immediately after that, he was hit by bullets,” Muhammad Yusuf Sheikh as saying. “In the past, government forces used to threaten him of dire consequences.”
Sheikh Mohammad Yusuf, father of the victim employee, said that his son was arrested some days back by Special Operations Group and tortured during interrogation. “They had fractured his leg,’’ he said, adding that Altaf had spent more than seven years in jail under several black law Public Safety Act cases.
Sheikh said few days back, Altaf was picked up by infamous Special Operation Group in connection with the mobile tower attacks. “He was released after two days. Altaf was not involved in any such attack and he was murdered for being my son and for being supporter of Kashmir freedom struggle,” his father said.
Sheikh said he has no regrets of losing his second son. “I lost my first son Sheikh Abdul Rouf in 2000 who was killed by Indian army and another today. They gave sacrifice for the Kashmir cause and I have no regrets,” he said. Some pro-freedom leaders addressed mourners in Sopore and said “such killings are carried out in a well-planned manner.”
Police records maintain that Altaf has remained in jail for more than seven years in the past two decades. “He has been booked under black law Public Safety Act ( PSA) thrice and was die-hard political worker of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir,” a senior police official said.
Tabassum Altaf, the wife of Sheikh Altaf-ur-Rehman (Mohammad Altaf Sheikh), a pharmacist in Sopore, who was killed on June 9 seems half dead after losing her husband.
She doesn’t talk much and the only time she speaks, Tabassum does it out of concern for her daughter Shaista. “My daughter is asking for her father, please tell her, he is there no more to look after her,” she said in a choked voice. Altaf is survived by two daughters – Shabnum, 14, and Shaista, 10, and a six-year-old son Athar. Shabnum says she won’t become a doctor as her “Baba is gone now”.
Altaf’s aged mother Haneefa Begum, well known teacher of the Sopore town said she Altaf was the second son that she had lost. “Although my sons are no more but I will continue to keep their dreams alive as they wished Kashmir to be independent from Indian bondage,” she said.
Haneefa Begum, 67, mother of, Muhammad Altaf Sheikh, said that she prepared her beloved son for the day and she was proud of his martyrdom. Haneefa Begum was speaking to hundreds of women mourners who had gathered at her house to condole her son’s killing.Haneefa’s son Sheikh Altaf. Haneefa, a retired teacher, said she knew this day will come. “He was being harassed off and on by police and other agencies. He was murdered under a plan,” she said. “I gave both sons for the Kashmir cause and will sacrifice everything for it,” she vowed. Before leaving for night duty on Monday evening, Haneefa said, Altaf brought vegetables for her and told her not to worry for anything. “In haste, he visited the market and brought vegetables for me. I could see happiness on Altaf’s face before he left for the night duty. Next day, I saw his body. He was killed in cold-blood,” she said.
In another room in the house, Sheik Muhammad Yusuf, father of Altaf, was being consoled by a large number of people. “Three days ago after Altaf was released from police custody, I had a feeling that some untoward incident will happen. I told him to be cautious,” said Yusuf.
“I had to fight with police for his release. He was arrested in connection with attacks on mobile towers. I told the police that my son has nothing to do with such incidents,” he said. “My son was killed under a well-planned conspiracy. We are determined to take freedom struggle to its logical end,” he maintained.Block Medical Officer Sopore Dr Masood told media men that the deceased had received four bullets, two in head, one each in neck and chest. “Sheikh Altaf was an employee in Sub-District Hospital Sopore and we are shocked over his death,” he said.
Recalling an incident that occurred few years back, one of the friends of the deceased told media men that Sheikh Altaf once slapped a police officer in police station Sopore, after the later allegedly abused him. “He was bold and always used to lead the pro-freedom protest marches in Sopore,” he said.
Meanwhile a police official said that a murder case has been registered and investigation has been taken up to trace the suspected militants.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (north Kashmir) Gareeb Das told media men. “A case has been register and we are verifying if the killing has anything to do with the happenings in recent past in the town,” he claimed.
On June 12: Unidentified gunmen (Indian armed agents in disguise) shot dead a 34-year old Hurriyet activist Khursheed Ahmed Bhat, son of Ghulam Nabi of Bomai Sopore a shopkeeper at Bomai village in Sopore. He was president of Bomai Beopar Mandal, a trader’s organization and an ardent supporter of Kashmir’s freedom struggle.’
Local Police said that Khursheed was on way to his home after closing his shop when gunmen opened fire on him. He was immediately evacuated but succumbed to his injuries on way to a hospital.
The family members of Khurshid held Indian agencies responsible for the killing of Bhat. The father of the slain youth while terming it as ‘target killing’ said that he has no expectations from the present regiem led by Mufti Sayeed.
Brother of slain man, Tariq Ahmad Bhat, said before the incident police and CRPF vehicles were doing rounds of their area. “There was also a Maruti car which was driving around. Khurshid had tried to call my younger brother at 8:24 pm just seven minutes before he was killed. He knew that something suspicious was going on,” Bhat said, adding that he saw assailants flee from the spot in the Maruti car. Bhat said the killers took the money of his brother along with ATM card and identity card.
“Even his shoes were also taken. He was dragged from his shop and thrown around the corner,” said Bhat. Tariq said that his brother supported the freedom struggle in Kashmir.’ “It were not militants but the Indian agencies who carried out the attack,” he said. "My son was not killed by Any Mujahideen Group but it was the handiwork of some Indian agencies,” the grieving father said.
Tariq Ahmed Bhat the brother of the slain youth said that due to police movement in the area, his brother shut down his shop before the routine time. “As my brother crossed a narrow street, unidentified gunmen fired four bullets upon him. One bullet hit his head. Within five minutes of the incident, three policemen appeared on the scene. One policeman was shivering and he tried to take my bleeding brother to hospital. He requested me to take care of his service rifle which I refused. All the three policemen fled from the spot. Later on a police party arrived quickly who took my brother to Sopore hospital where Khurshid succumbed to his injuries,” he said and added that he is shocked how his brother got killed amid heavy police patrolling.
He said that the same group might be involved in the killing of his brother who murdered Tehreek-e-Hurriyat activist Sheikh Altaf on Tuesday. “My slain brother was the president of local Beopar Mandal and was running a General Store. Police had arrested him several time on charges of stone-pelting. He was an ardent supporter of Kashmir Freedom Struggle and it is hard to subscribe the police theory that militants killed him,” Bhat said.
The family members of Sopore shopkeeper Khurshid Ahmed Bhat who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at Bomai Sopore area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Friday night hold Indian agencies responsible for the killing of Bhat. The father of the slain youth while terming it as ‘target killing’ said that he has no expectations from the present government regime led by Mufti Sayeed. “Yesterday, Sheikh Altaf in Sopore town became the prey of target killing, today it was my son and tomorrow it will be some other person. I appeal people and media to expose these killers. My son was not killed by militants but it was the handiwork of some Indian agencies,” Ghulam Nabi Bhat told media men.
Khursheed Ahmed Bhat, a Hurriyet activist and shopkeeper of Bomai village in Sopore, who was killed on June 12, was unmarried. Khursheed’s sister Gulshan Nabi, 26, still expects that someone from the authorities would come to visit the family.
She waits sitting in a corner wondering if the government officials would come to visit them. “I don’t need their sympathy nor anyone’s to console us,” she said. “I am looking to see who would come from the government and find out my brother’s killers but unfortunately no one bothered to visit us.”
Gulshan also said that Indian Army and police officials of not acting as they do after militant attacks. Recalling Khursheed’s cheerful attitude toward others, Gulhsan said her brother was a religious person. Bhat is survived by three sisters and two brothers.
On June 14: Unidentified gunmen (Indian armed agents in disguise) killed a father of two minor daughters, Mehraj-ud-din Dar (41-years old) son of Mohammad Ahsan Dar at Badambagh in Sopore town. Dar was running a poultry shop. Me’raj-ud-din died on way to sub-district hospital Sopore. Block medical officer SDH Dr Masood Ahmad said the deceased had a bullet wound in the head. He was a former activist of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front( JKLF)
Forty-one year-old Mehraj-ud-din Dar, who runs a poultry shop, was shot at from close range outside his residence at Badambagh while he was selling chicken to a customer. He was rushed to the hospital where he was declared brought dead.
SDPO Sopore, Mohammad Shafiq said police is investigating the matter and has lodged an FIR under 302 RPC in Sopore Police Station.
Mehraj-u-din Dar was killed near his shop at BadamiBagh in Sopore, police said. “He was shot from point blank range with a pistol. Two bullets hit his head and two in his abdomen. He was rushed to Sub-District Hospital Sopore, but succumbed on the way,” a police official said.
Police said Mehraj was a former militant of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front who was selling chicken in the area for the past 20 years. He is survived by wife and two daughters. “He was arrested by Border Security Force in early ‘90s and later released,” police said.
A senior police official said three persons—who were traveling in Van—asked Mehraj for chicken. “When he started weighing chicken, the gunmen opened fire on him and fled from the spot,” he said.
Eyewitnesses said that two army vehicles were parked some distance from the place where Mehraj was killed. “After I heard the gun-shot I came outside from my home and saw Mehraj lying on the road. Army vehicle (Casper) was few blocks away from the spot,” Ghulam Mohammad Mir, a local resident said.
Another eyewitness Mohammad Ehsan Dar said that after hearing the gun shot he ran towards the spot but was stopped by the troops. “The troops had cordoned the area and were not allowing us to pick his (Meharj’s) body but we broke the cordon but it was too late by then. Meharj was already dead,” Dar said.
Abdul Rashid Dar, father of Mehraj said it was a well executed plan to kill his son.
“The army and SOG are providing cover to these killers. In all the four killings people have spotted vehicles of troops around. It is the work of the Indian Agencies,” Dar said.
Zahida Begum wife of victim Mehraj-ud-Din Dar is another Sopore woman left widowed. Her two daughters Nisha, 10, and Sehrish, 16 live with her in a small shabby house.
Zahida’s husband Mehraj-ud-Din Dar was shot dead in Badambagh Sopore on the morning of June 14 after he booked a Tata Sumo for her daughter Sehrish to write exams in Vidyaliya School Uri in Baramulla. Zahida said she had nowhere to go now. “Where will I go with these two daughters as we lived separately in a one-room home,” she said. “Mehraj worked hard to fulfill the needs of Nisha and Sehrish and it haunts me to imagine a life without him.”
Mehraj had sent his wife and younger daughter Nisha with her. However, as soon as they reached Uri, the news of Mehraj’s killing brought them back. “Two Indian Army vehicles were standing around 50 meters from our shop but the vehicles didn’t move on hearing gun shots,” said Mehraj’s elder sister Gulshan Begum. “I was cleaning the path leading to our house and when I saw my brother in a pool of blood, I tried to run behind the attackers and saw army vehicles standing there.”
Hurriyet activist Meraj-ud-Din Dar’s sister who is in a deep shock said “I want my brother back. Is there anyone who can bring him back,” she cries in the lawns of her house. “Who will open this shop now? There is none left to take care of his daughters.”
Meraj-ud-Din Dar has two-daughters—Sehrish and Nisha. Dar, according to his family members, would save money for his daughters to ensure both become doctors. He would always tell his both daughters to fulfill his dream. Little did he know that bullets won’t just pierce his body and leave him dead but also shatter his dream of making both his daughters doctors. “My brother is no more, he was shot dead here,” says Dar’s sister right at the spot where one bullet hit him on the head and piercing through his left eye while another bullet hitting his belly leaving him in a pool of blood. “They (killers) were two. A woman neighbour saw them from the window of her house. She saw them fleeing after killing my brother.”
Dar’s father, Muhammad Ashsan, is a heart patient, not able to talk properly. “My son was innocent, I don’t know why he was killed,” he says. “I tried to follow the neighbours who took my son to hospital. But I wasn’t allowed by army men. For half-an hour, I remained stuck on the road. Then I got a call that my son is no more.”
Dar’s elder daughter Sehrish studies in 10th standard while Nisha is in class 4th. “Our father was innocent. We don’t know why he was killed,” says the elder one as tears roll down on her cheeks. “He would always tell us study by heart so that both of you would become doctors. How can we become doctors now? We are all alone now. There is no one to take care of us.” Nisha says she “lost a friend, a guide and a teacher.” “He was everything for us,” she adds.
Sehrish’s mother is yet to come to terms. “A typhoon has hit us. We are alone,” she says amid sobs.
Dar’s father says he is too old and sick to take care of two daughters and a widow of his son. “I am sick, not able to talk and walk properly. Only Allah can take care of this family now,” he says as tears fill his eyes.
Dar’s elder daughter Sehrish studies in 10th standard while Nisha is in class 4th. “Our papa was innocent. We don’t know why he was killed,” says the elder one as tears roll down on her cheeks. “He would always tell us study by heart so that both of you would become doctors. How can we become doctors now? We are all alone now. There is no one to take care of us.” Nisha says she “lost a friend, a guide and a teacher.” “He was everything for us,” she says.
Sehrish’s mother is yet to come to terms. “A typhoon has hit us. We are alone,” she says amid sobs. “Killers should be nabbed. We were expecting at least separatist leaders to visit us, but none of them turned up.” Sitting in the corner of a room, Dar’s father says he is too old and sick to take care of two daughters and a widow of his son. “I am sick, not able to talk and walk properly. Only Allah can take care of this family now,” he says as tears fill his eyes.
On June 15: Unidentified gunmen (Indian armed agents in disguise) fired three bullets from close range at father of 6 daughters Aijaz Ahmad Reshi (39) son of Abdur Rahim resident of Mundji, in Mundji area of Sopore. The family members of Aijaz said after the gun shots people saw assailants, “boarding an army Rakhshak vehicle.”
They opened fire on him with a pistol from point blank range. Two bullets hit on his head,” a senior police official said. “Reshi was rushed to Sub-District Hospital Sopore where doctors declared him as brought dead.” The official said Reshi was a former militant. “He has spent some five years in jail and was now helping the family with a small business,” he said. “The slain person is father of six daughters.”
The official said a stray dog chased the killers of Reshi. “One of the assailants fired and killed the dog on spot. We have reports that the dog caused injury to one of the assailants minutes after they shot at Reshi,” he said. “
Eyewitnesses say that Reshi had come out of his home to undergo medical tests at a village diagnostic centre. “There were three-four people but they (gunmen) fired directly on him (Reshi). They were two gunmen, clean shaven,” said a villager.
In a daring bid to capture the gunmen, Mundji residents chased the assailants and one of them set his pet dog on them. “The dog chased them, jumped on one of them and overpowered him,” said an eyewitness. “The other assailant turned back and fired the dog in his head. They fired several shots while escaping from the village”.
The pet of one Mohammad Zafar Ganai, slain youth’s neighbor was fired upon by the assailants’ when he chased and reportedly attacked one of them, a local resident told media men. The dog was shot multiple times by the unknown gunmen before fleeing from the spot. “The dog died on the spot,” the local, wishing not to be named, told the reporter.
“The killers took the Warpora road link and through orchard fields reached Dooru hospital where people saw them hopping into the army vehicle,” Reshi’s uncle Altaf Hussain said. He added that army had already cordoned the area before the incident took place. “The army was deployed in the outskirts of the area. If they were militants it would have been impossible for them to escape,” Hussain said. “The killers knew the roadmap and army vehicle was waiting to help them to flee from the spot,” he said.
Kulsum Begum, whose husband Aijaz Ahmad Reshi was killed on June 15, says Aijaz’s assailants had taken away her eyesight and made her hapless. “Now there is no reason for me to live,” Kulsum told media men. “Who has he left me and my children with?”
Kulsum said her husband woke her up Sunday midnight and told her that Indian Army had cordoned off the entire area. “I told him not to open the door of the house but he said no one harms the harmless,” she said. “How wrong was he?”
Kulsum said, in five years of her husband’s life, Aijaz had lived a life like hell.
“Indian Army would take him to their barracks for weeks and months and torture him as they never trusted him to have given up arms,” she said. “He shouldn’t have shunned militancy.” Kulsum said on June 3, Indian Army arrested him up after cordoning their house. “They beat him, slapped him and then asked him to help them in look for arms in the house. He took their instructions while the Army damaged all our belongings,” she said. “Twelve days later, Aijaz was killed in mysterious circumstances.” Recalling how children in their locality especially boys would run away on seeing Reshi come out the Masjid, she said Aijaz would often scold them for not offering prayers.
Reshi is survived by a daughter Sumaiya Reshi, 16, and three sons aged 17, nine and seven. Kulsum said Aijaz wanted his daughter to be a nurse and serve people.
Hizbul Mujahideen, a Kashmiri dominant liberation group , Syed Salahuddin, on Thursday July 23 , 2015 after expelling its one member Abdul Qayoom Najar over his involvement in "gruesome murder" and the "character assassination of pro-freedom leadership said the evil designs of enemy to weaken the movement would be defeated. Syed Salah-ud-Din said an investigation report presented before the council of Hizb commanders has clearly proven the key role played by Najar in carrying out anti-movement activities. Hizb condemned in strong terms the anti-movement activities of ‘Lashkar-i-Islami’, who launched character assassination of liberation leadership to defame them before people, attacked telecommunication network and indulged in civilian killings to damage the freedom movement. He said it was done to strengthen the hands of enemy, directly or indirectly.