SRINAGAR, Aug 10: Suspected rebels have shot dead a former Kashmir police officer outside a mosque in Srinagar, police say.
Ex-Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Abdul Hamid Bhat was coming out of a mosque after offering his Friday prayers in Tengpora locality of Batmaloo area in Srinagar when suspected militants shot him in the head, they say.
Kashmir valley has witnessed a series of militancy-related incidents in past couple of weeks although authorities say the conflict involving security forces and militants was at its lowest ebb since it started over two decades ago.
Inspector General of Police S.M Sahai told reporters that Bhat had been posted in the volatile Nowhatta area of Srinagar during the 2008 unrest which witnessed massive protests against Indian rule.
Sahai said, “It’s a challenge for the police. Our retired officers are being targetted.”
No militant group has so far claimed responsibility for the Friday’s shooting.
