Four killed in Srinagar gunfight

Four persons, including an overground worker (one who supports militants) and a civilian, were killed during an encounter in Srinagar’s Hyderpora on Monday evening, the police said on Tuesday amid allegations that it was a “staged encounter” and one victim was used as “a human shield”.

“Two militants, including a foreign militant identified as Haider, and his local associate, possibly from Banihal area of Jammu, were killed. We have called in a family from Banihal to identify the militant,” Inspector-General of Police Vijay Kumar stated.

Building owner Altaf Bhat, a Barzulla resident, who also had an office in the multi-storey structure, was killed in the crossfire. “It is not sure whether he was hit by the militants’ or the security forces’ bullet. Militants were carrying pistols. The cause of the death would be clear after investigation,” Mr. Kumar said.

The police identified the fourth slain person as Mudasir Gull, a dentist-turned-businessman from Srinagar’s Rawalpora. “He [Gull] may have provided shelter to Haider and his associates. He was harbouring and ferrying militants. Mudasir was also involved in ferrying Haider from the site of the [Sunday] attack at Jamalata Srinagar, where a policeman was injured after a bullet hit him. He was an overground worker and was directly involved in harbouring militants,” Mr. Kumar said.