Kreeri shootout handiwork of ‘hired Ikhwanis’

2 arrested; Family likely to be interrogated

Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

BARAMULLA, Feb 16: Unlike the killing of two young woman of a family at Sopore last fortnight, armed counter-insurgents hired by a civilian, are suspected to have opened fire in which two young girls sustained minor injuries at Durhama village in Kreeri area of Baramulla district last night. Police have arrested two key suspects and wife of the house-owner is likely to be questioned as call detail records of several persons are also under scanner.

Informed sources, associated with the Police investigation, revealed to Early Times today that last evening’s firing at the residence of one Ghulam Mohiuddin Akhoon prima facie did not appear to be the handiwork of militants. They said that two key suspected had been taken into custody and they were under sustained interrogation while as call details of their cellphones were also under scanner. Sources said that few more suspects, including a civilian, who is suspected to have engaged the gunmen for eliminating or terrorisng the house-owner, are likely to be arrested and questioned.

The assassin duo is said to have fired one each bullet from his pistol on Akhoon’s family members. They said that Akhoon was posted as an assistant engineer in R&B Division Kupwara. He also happens to be the husband of one-time Hizbul Mujahideen top commander Abdul Majeed Dar’s sister-in-law, namely Haseena. Dar had been allegedly eliminated by militants of Hizbul Mujahideen at his Sopore residence when his attempts to overthrow the outfit supreme Syed Salahuddin became public in March 23^rd, 2003.

Later, suspected militants made an attempt to kill Dar’s second wife, Dr Shameema Badroo, at her temporary residence in Srinagar and left her critically wounded.

Shameema’s sister Haseena, according to sources, was likely to be questioned in the matter of yesterday’s shootout at her home. Engineer Akhoon’s 19-year-old sister, Shaista Akbar D/0 Mohammad Akbar Akhoon and 8-year-old niece, Sameena alias Momina D/o Manzoor Ahmed Khan R/o Achhabal, Sopore, had sustained mild injuries in the shootout. Sources said that one round each was found to have been fired on the two girls. Officials said that harassment, rather than assassination, appeared to be the motive prima facie.

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