Srinagar: Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police Mohammed Ayub Pandith was stoned to death by an irate mob near Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of Srinagar, according to agency reports. Terming the incident as a very sad and unfortunate one, DGP S P Vaid had confirmed that the official was killed by the mob while he was performing his duties. The unfortunate incident took place last night when the police official sacrificed his life in line of duty, the report says. The mob reportedly stripped him naked before stoning him to death after Pandith allegedly opened fire at a group of people, a PTI report says. Police were deployed to prevent any untoward incident as tension prevailed in the area. His body was taken to police control room. The incident took place even as the mob went on a rampage targeting empty security pickets erected in the area.

It has been learned that Muslims across Kashmir are observing Shab-e-Qadr (the night of power) with night-long prayers and supplications being made inside the mosques and shrines of the valley. The authorities have already announced restrictions on movement of people in seven police station areas of the city as a precautionary measure. The restrictions, which would come into force at dawn, were announced to maintain law and order as separatists had called for protests after Friday prayers against killing of a civilian during protests in Kakapora area of Pulwama District yesterday, as per PTI report.

Last week, terrorists had ambushed a police party in the outskirts of Anantnag district of South Kashmir and killed six policemen, including a Station House Officer of Achabal area. In a barbaric act, the terrorists shot at the policemen with their assault rifles after overpowering them. The policemen who retaliated bravely, however, could not break the trap laid by the terrorists. The terrorists first overpowered them, then fatally shot them in their faces from close range and escaped with their weapons, according to PTI report.