The killings in Kashmir has never ended but the reoccurrence of mysterious killings have come again to haunt the North Kashmir’s Sopore area. After a young man connected to Syed Ali Geelani-led Hurriyat is gunned down in broad daylight yesterday by unknown gunmen for unknown reasons, the incident has spread a chill in the air. He was immediately taken to hospital by his family only to be pronounced brought dead by the doctors.
The victim is recognised as Hakim-ul-Rehman Sultani who was recently released by police after serving his time in jail for stone pelting and protests. He was targeted by the shooters outside his home in Rashipora Bomani area of Sopore. No militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the latest killing so far.
“It looks like a target killing. Apparently the gunmen were following him and attacked him at the place of their choice. We have filed an FIR and the perpetrators behind the attack will be identified soon,” said a senior police officer.
It has been quite a few months since the mysterious killings had stopped making news. After a break, now this is the first high-profile killing in Sopore area. Another incident of unknown gunmen breaking into one Mohammad Asraf Mir’s home in Harwan area of Sopore was registered on May 4. 35-year-old Asraf was shot by five bullets and subsequently killed on his way to hospital while his wife suffered gunshot injuries in both legs.
Just four days after Ashraf’s killing, another incident of blood-shed was witnessed in valley where three young men were found dead with bullet-riddled bodies in Baramulla’s old town. In the past three years, North Kashmir has become a hub for foreign militants who are now more than local militants in numbers.
“They take refuge in local residences and use the forested areas to hide during cordon and search operations. Often they target civilian population who refuses to follow their diktats.”
