Mob Lynches Police Officer Outside Mosque In Srinagar, 2 Arrested

Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police SP Vaid and other senior officers carrying the coffin of DSP Mohammad Ayub Pandith during a wreath laying ceremony at District Police Lines in Srinagar. 

(Photo: PTI)

A deputy superintendent of police was stripped naked and stoned to death by an irate mob near a mosque in Srinagar in the early hours of Friday. The officer, identified as Mohammed Ayoub Pandit, was on duty when the mob attacked him.

DGP SP Vaid termed the killing sad and unfortunate.

The official was killed by the mob while he was performing his duties. It’s a very sad and unfortunate incident

SP Vaid, DGP, J & K Police

Earlier police sources had said that Pandit was seen moving around by people near Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area. He was allegedly clicking pictures of people while they were coming out of the mosque.

Sources told PTI that people tried to catch Pandit, who allegedly fired several shots from his pistol, injuring three persons. The mob then caught hold of him and stripped him naked before stoning him to death.

The mob went on a rampage targeting empty security pickets erected in the area. Police reinforcements were rushed in to restore normalcy in the area.

Two people were arrested in connection with the lynching. Authorities have already announced restrictions on movement of people in seven police station areas of the city as a precautionary measure.

Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam