A mobile phone shopkeeper was shot dead by militants in Habbakadal locality of the city here on Wednesday.

Kashmir IGP Vijay Kumar said the militants were falsely labelling innocent persons as informers to hide their sin. A police spokesman said the militants fired upon Umer Nazir Bhat, a resident of Kelashpora Habakadal, inside his shop at Main Chowk Habba Kadal.

Bhat received critical gunshot injuries and was shifted to the SMHS hospital, where he succumbed.

Senior police officers reached the spot and an investigation was under way, he said, adding they continued to work to establish the circumstances which lead to this terror crime.

The IGP said these killings of innocent civilians and local policemen were being committed by local militants of LeT (self claimed as TRF) on the instruction of militant Abbas Sheikh. “They have been indulging in the terror crimes for money being paid by Pakistani handlers,” Kumar added. — PTI

Courtesy: The Tribune: 23rd June, 2021