Srinagar, Aug 2: Police have arrested six persons in connection with the killing of block president of ruling National Conference (NC) in Natipora area of Srinagar one and a half month ago.
Abdul Rehman Ganai (63) was shot dead from point blank range on June 15 by unidentified gunmen. He was acting block president of NC in the Natipora area of Amirakadal constituency represented by the Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani.
Well placed sources in police said that six arrested persons include two former militants of Hizbul Mujahideen. They are Muhammad Yusuf Dar of Kawoosa Magam, Budgam, Javid Ahmad Sheikh of Arth Soibug, Budgam, Gulzar Ahmad Parray of Khandori, Budgam, Manzoor Ahmad Wani of Srinagar, Manzoor Ahmad Khan of Srinagar and Shakeel Ahmad of Narbal.
Police sources said that Gulzar Ahmad Parray and Manzoor Ahmad Wani are former militants of Hizbul Mujahideen. “Ganai was killed by these people with the aim to create panic among political workers and stop their activities,” a top police officer told Greater Kashmir.
“Two among the arrested had come on a motorcycle and shot Ganai from point blank range. They opened fire from a pistol,” he said and added that further investigations were on. “Further disclosers will hamper our investigations,” the police officer said.
Three bullets had pierced the back of Ganai and he was shifted to Bone and Joint Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. Ganai was a retired employee of Sericulture Department and had joined NC after retirement from service.
Since December 2011, Ganai is the third activist of NC who has been killed while another was critically injured in a shootout.
In Batamaloo area of Srinagar on Dec 24, suspected militants shot dead NC worker Bashir Ahmad Dar. In February, unidentified gunmen shot dead NC worker Ghulam Hassan Dar at Hajan in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
In March, gunmen shot dead another NC worker Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Bhat.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 2 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 2 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 3 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST