Pandith was stripped and lynched by a mob outside the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar's Nowhatta area Thursday night triggering outrage across Kashmir and drawing all-round condemnation.
File photo of DySP Mohammad Ayoub Pandith.
He added that the DSP was posted outside the mosque for the security of the people so that they could offer prayers without any hindrance. "But a few among those, for the security of whom he had been deployed there, lynched him", Director General of Police S P Vaid said terming the incident as "very unfortunate".
"It is the resolve of Jammu and Kashmir Police that we are not going to spare these rascals", he said, adding that investigation into the case was underway and everything would be clear once the report comes. They are even reporting falsely that when the incident happened I was present in the mosque. The identity of the deceased could not be immediately established as angry mob went on a rampage targeting empty security pickets erected in the area.
DGP S.P. Vaid said that two persons had been arrested and many more attackers identified. Police reinforcements were rushed to restore normalcy in the area.
Defending the firing by the officer in which three persons were injured, Vaid said, "The DSP was carrying a pistol and he had the right to self-defence".
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Witnesses say the lynching occurred outside the main mosque in Srinagar late Thursday night during the celebrations of Laylat al Qadr.
Long criticised by her detractors for reigning in the police from fighting back against stone-pelters, chief minister Mehbooba Mufti's patience wore thin on Friday after the brutal lynching of a senior police officer as she warned the trouble-makers that the restraint on cops could soon be over.
A wreath laying ceremony will be held in Srinagar's District Police Lines at 11 am before the funeral. "Only then can we say what happened", he said.
Criticising restrictions on the movement of people, moderate Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said, "it is for the first time in the living memory of people that they are being barred from offering "Jummat-ul-Vida prayers" at Jamia Masjid by the authorities".
Mehbooba said the officer had not gone to the mosque for personal work but was there to protect the lives of the people and fulfil his duty.
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