Baramulla, Jul 16: Police on Tuesday said it has arrested two youths for allegedly killing a shopkeeper in Baramulla district of north Kashmir. Police also claimed that the duo was in the process of joining militants and had acted at their behest.
Addressing a hurriedly convened press conference, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla Abdul Qayoom said that following the killing of shopkeeper Sameer Yousuf Ahanger, son of Mohammad Yousuf Ahanger of Mohalla Mir Sahib Baramulla at Azadgunj Baramulla, a case (FIR no. 112/2019 under section 307 RPC, 7/27 I A Act) was registered at Police Station Baramulla and investigation was taken up.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Additional Superintendent of Police Baramulla Mohammad Yousuf Chowdary was constituted. During the course of investigation, many suspects including Aquib Bashir and Auqib Shalla of Chesti Colony Old Town Baramulla were called for questioning,” the SSP said.
The police official said that Auqib Bashir and Auqib Shalla were “in the process of joining militant ranks and were tasked with killing some people suspected to be informers of security forces”.
During sustained interrogation, the duo confessed killing the shopkeeper at Azad Gunj Baramulla and on their disclosure one pistol has also been recovered which was used for the purpose.
“The arrested duo and their close friend Uzair Amin had decided to join militant ranks after the killing of shopkeeper Sameer on June 03. On July 02 — Uzair joined Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit and Auqib Shalla also left for joining the group,” police said.
Pertinently, Sameer, a shopkeeper by profession was shot at on June 30 at old Town and he succumbed on the next day.
“The accused have revealed that several other persons were on the target of the militants. We have put these people on the alert so that they are not harmed,” the police officer said.
