In an incident that could be a turning point for Jammu and Kashmir, a mob outside the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar stripped naked a deputy superintendent of police and lynched him to death.
According to police sources, DSP Mohammad Ayoub Pandith was stripped and stoned to death by the mob at around 12.30 am on Friday when he was caught allegedly clicking pictures of the people coming out of the mosque after Shab-e-Qadr prayers,
When the mob attacked the police officer, he opened fire from his pistol, injuring three persons.
After the incident, the historic Jamia Masjid has been shut by officials. This is the first time that the historic mosque would remain closed on the occasion of ‘Jummat-ul-Vida’.
Describing the incident as “murder of trust”, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti wondered how long the police would show restraint. “I want to say that J&K police is one of the best police forces in the country. They are brave but are showing maximum restraint because they feel that they are dealing with their own people. But for how long?” she asked.
