DSP Ayub Pandith lynching: Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist who insitigated mob killed in encounter

Srinagar: Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Sajid Ahmad Gilkar, who is believed to have played a key role in instigating the mob to lynch DSP Ayub Pandith, was shot dead by security forces in Budgam district Tuesday night.

A mob lynched the senior police officer in Srinagar last month, triggering outrage and forcing Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehmooba Mufti to dub the crime a "murder of trust".

DSP Pandith was stripped and stoned to death by a mob outside the historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of downtown Srinagar on June 22.

A Police spokesperson confirmed that Gilkar played a major role in the lynching of DSP Pandith.

Giving details about the Hizbul militant, the official said, Gilkar was involved in grenade attacks on the CRPF at Nowhatta on April 22, Khanyar police party on April 30 and SafaKadal CRPF camp on June 21.

Security forces shot dead three militants - Gilkar and his associates Aaqib Gul and Javaid Ahmad Shiekh - in J&K's Budgam district.

The operation, carried out jointly by the police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Army, was halted after it got dark overnight. The exchange of fire resumed on Wednesday morning.

The militants rushed out of their hideout firing indiscriminately in a bid to escape. The security forces returned the fire and killed all the three.