Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Aug 18: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Perwaiz Ahmad Bhat, who contested Assembly elections from Amira Kadal constituency in 2008, was the target of militants who killed National Conference (NC) block president, Abdul Rehman Ganaie, in Srinagar in June this year.
Police arrested six persons including two former militants of Hizbul Mujahideen for killing the NC worker. The arrested persons are Muhammad Yusuf Dar of Kawoosa Magam, Budgam, Javid Ahmad Sheikh of Arth Soibug, Budgam, Gulzar Ahmad Parray of Khandori, Budgam, Manzoor Ahmad Wani of Srinagar, Manzoor Ahmad Khan of Srinagar and Shakeel Ahmad of Narbal.
Police sources said that militants have revealed during questioning that they had to target PDP leader but when they missed him out that day they targeted his neighbour, Abdul Rehman Ganaie, who was coming out of his house for offering Friday prayers just at that moment.
Mortar cycle borne militants killed NC block president, Abdul Rehman Ganaie, on June 15 outside his residence at Natipora locality in Srinagar when he was heading towards local Masjid for offering Friday prayers.
Police sources said that actual killing of Ganaie was carried out by Muhammad Yusuf Dar of Kawoosa Magam in the Central Kashmir district of Budgam.
The arrested persons have told investigators that they carried reconnaissance of the spot several times and had full knowledge of the surroundings and also knew Ganaie by face as they had offered prayers in the Natipora Masjid several times before killing Ganaie.
Both Ganaie and Bhat were neighbours and Bhat had just arrived home when the militants knocked at his door on June 15 and asked for him. Bhat’s mother reportedly came out and told them that he is not home. Bhat who is facing militant threat is not living in his ancestral home since he fought elections from Amira Kadal constituency and was defeated by NC candidate and Minister of State for Home Nasir Sogami.
Police sources said that the arrested militants revealed that when they thought that they have missed out Perwaiz, they saw Ganaie coming out for prayers and shot at him and killed him on the spot.
Police have now intensified security of Perwaiz after the militants revealed their plan to eliminate him. However, sources said that Perwaiz has been making full use of his security and takes precautions while making any movement.
Meanwhile, majority of those who face militant threat have stopped offering prayers in Masjids as large number of people have been targeted outside the Masjids during past 22 years of militancy in Kashmir.
Early this month Abdul Hamid Bhat, a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, was shot at while coming out of Masjid Bilal in Moominabad area of Batmaloo in Srinagar after offering Friday prayers.
Police have asked the protected persons to make proper use of their security and follow proper drill after killing of DySP Bhat.
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