Baramulla police Tuesday claimed to have solved the murder case of a local youth who was killed by unidentified gunmen on June 30, by arresting two persons.
Police said another youth who had played “key role” in suchkilling, had later joined militant ranks and was now an active militant ofHizbul Mujahideen outfit.
The police identified the arrested persons as Auqib Hajamand Auqib Shalla, both residents of Chesti Colony old town Baramulla.
“A Chinese-made pistol was recovered from the possession ofthe arrested persons,” police said, identifying the third youth “who laterjoined militant ranks” as Uzair Amin, a resident of old town Baramulla.
Samir Yousuf Ahanger, 28, a shopkeeper, was killed byunidentified gunmen on June 30 at old town Baramulla. The assailants pumped twobullets, one of which hit the slain civilian in his thigh, resulting in loss ofblood, which eventually led to his death.
Following the incident, Baramulla police detained severalyouths in connection with the killing. “After sustained questioning, name oftwo youths surfaced in the killing of slain youth. Both of them were arrestedand they revealed their role along with another youth in the killing of Samir,”said Abdul Qayoom, SSP Baramulla.
While giving details of the incident, the SSP said thearrested persons, Auqib Shalla and Auqib Hajam along with Uzair Amin, “whilepledging to join militant ranks decided to first eliminate some youths whoaccording to their perception were working with police and security forces.”
“Uzair Amin provided the pistol and gave short periodtraining to Auqib. The trio decided to kill Sameer. Auqib fired at the Samirwho later succumbed at a Srinagar hospital. On the next day of the incident,Uzair formally joined the militant outfit HM,” the SSP said while addressingmedia at Police Lines Baramulla.
Replying to a question, the SSP said around four militants,two each from Hizb and LeT outfits, are active in Baramulla police district.
The SSP also claimed to have solved the case of killing ofArjumand Hussain, a shopkeeper who was killed in March. “Hussain, a drug de-addiction councillor waskilled by a gunman of Pakistani origin who was later killed at WatergamRafiabad during a gunfight,” he said.