Outrage as Ex-Police Officer is Shot Dead Inside Mosque in J&K

SRINAGAR: There has been widespread outrage in Jammu and Kashmir over the gruesome killing of a former police officer while he was giving azan, the call for prayers, from inside a mosque in the Union Territory’s northwestern Baramulla district.

The police said investigations into the “shocking incident” have been taken up after a case was registered under the relevant provision of law at the concerned police station. “We are investigating whether terrorists are involved in this heinous crime or the motive of his murder has been personal rivalry. We are looking at the case from all possible angles,” a police officer said.

Muhammad Shaffi Mir, a former senior superintendent of police, was targeted by unknown gunmen in the middle of his reciting azan or adhan from the village mosque at Gantamulla, about 15-km Baramulla town, to announce the fajr namaz or dawn prayer-the first of the five daily mandatory Islamic prayers.  

A villager said that he heard Mir reciting “Ashadu anna Muḥammad al rasulu -llah (I testify Muhammad is the Messenger of God”, the third phrase of the call broadcast to the speakers mounted on the higher part of the mosque's minarets, and it was followed by an unusual sound. “I was still at my home and knew it was Mir Sahab who was giving the azan. When I heard a bang during the azan, I thought the microphone he was using had developed a snag or maybe he had collapsed due to hypertensive crisis and, therefore, could not complete the call. We rushed to the mosque only to find him lying in a pool of blood,” he said. 72-yar-old Mir was rushed to the hospital where doctors declared him dead.  

The gruesome murder of the former SSP, a “noble soul” to the people of Gantamulla and surrounding villages for he had, after his retirement, dedicated himself for community service fully, has evoked widespread anger across J&K. Hundreds of mourners attended his funeral later during the day. Various political parties have issued strongly worded statements to condemn the incident.

Former chief minister Omar Abdullah said, “He was senselessly shot dead. I condemn it and such heinous acts unequivocally and affirm that violence can never be tolerated in any form”.

Separatist leader and Kashmir’s chief Muslim cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said, “Such killings are a blot on humanity and only bring disgrace to the people and place where they are committed. These acts are no solution to resolve conflicts and only cause grief and suffering”.

J&K Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, termed it a “dastardly terror attack” and while condemning it he said, “I’m pained beyond words…he was targeted while he was giving a call for prayer in the mosque. Cowards responsible for this barbaric act will not be spared”. He offered his condolences to the bereaved family “in this hour of grief”.