An irate mob beat a senior police officer to death at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid at Nowhatta at 2 am on June 23, 2017.
People were busy with Shab-e-Qadr prayers inside the grand mosque. According to a report by the Times of India, a group of youths caught Deputy SP (Security) Mohammed Ayub Pandith clicking pictures near the mosque. People present there claim that he had opened fire at the group. He was then beaten to death by the mob. Three persons were also injured in the scuffle.
According to a PTI report, the officer who was in civilian clothes was stripped naked before being stoned to death.
Mohd Ayoub Pandit deployed for separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq's security.
Another officer sacrificed his life in line of duty DySP Mohammed Ayub Pandith of Security beaten to death by mob at #Nowhatta last night.
— J&K Police (@JmuKmrPolice) June 23, 2017Soon after the incident, the angry mob went on a rampage targeting empty security pickets erected in the area, and police reinforcements were rushed in to restore normalcy.
The authorities announced restrictions on the movement of people in seven police station areas of the city as a precautionary measure.
The restrictions, which came into force at dawn, were announced to maintain law and order as separatists had called for protests after Friday prayers against the killing of a civilian during protests in Kakapora area of Pulwama District on Thursday.
Deputy SP Mohammed Ayub Pandith of Security beaten to death by mob in J&K's Nowhatta last night
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 23, 2017J&K police:Officer sacrificed his life in line of duty DySP Mohammed Ayub Pandith of Security beaten to death by mob at Nowhatta last night
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 23, 2017