Women mourn the murder of two NC activists in Habbakadal area of Srinagar. PHOTO/Javed Khan
Srinagar, Oct 05: Two National Conference (NC) workers were killed and another injured after unidentified gunmen fired upon them at Karfalli Mohalla area of Habbakadal in old city here this morning.
Witnesses said panic gripped entire area after two bike-borne youth opened fire on three NC workers who were busy discussing something near Kandar Masjid at Karfalli Mohalla locality.
They said the bikers who carried an assault rifle, opened fire on NC workers from a close range and then fled from the scene.
“The NC workers were discussing something near the mosque when two bike-borne youth carrying assault rifle appeared there and opened fire on them. While one amongst them fell and died on the spot, another one tried to escape but the attacker again shot him in his leg and abdomen,” witnesses told ‘Kashmir Images’.
The third person whom they identified as Shakeel Ahmad Zagoo of Karfalli Mohalla and is the Halqa President of NC suffered bullet injury in his arm in the incident. He, however, managed to flee from the scene.
The incident, witnesses said, took place at around 11:35 AM.
Witnesses said two of the victims were declared as brought dead by the doctors in SMHS Hospital while condition of the injured person is stated to be out of danger.
The slain workers were identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat aka Betta Waza (50), son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat of Kani Kadal, and Nazir Ahmad Wani (45), son of Ghulam Mohammad Wani of Pamposh Colony Noorbagh.
The incident triggered total chaos and confusion in the entire area with visibly perturbed residents staggered over the unexpected event.
As soon as the incident took place, shopkeepers pulled down shutters while transport also went off the roads in a jiffy.
Meanwhile, a joint team of police and paramilitary troopers cordoned off the entire area to nab the assailants; however the attackers they were looking for had already escaped.
Confirming death of two persons, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Imtiyaz Ismail Parray said police is investigating the matter.
“We are ascertaining the facts, once we have details, we will share it accordingly,” said the SSP.
Sources said the trio was closely associated with NC legislator from Habbakadal constituency, Shameema Firdous. Nazir Ahmad Bhat was working as the MLA’s public relations officer.
