Militant killed in scuffle in South Kashmir

A top Hizbul Muijhadeen militant was killed after a scuffle broke out between the ultras and the family members of a former Panch of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when they stormed his home and shot him dead at Imam Sahab in South Kashmir's Shopian district on Monday.

"Three terrorists killed the ex -Panch of PDP Mohohmmad Ramzan in Shopian. In the scuffle, a terrorist, Shaukat, was also killed", tweeted Dr Shesh Paul Vaid, director general of police, Jammu and Kashmir.

Later, Dr Vaid told DNA that the militant was killed in a scuffle with family members of the Panch. "I have heard that he (militant) has been hit by a bullet. There was a scuffle with the family. All other family members are safe", he said.

However, senior superintendent of police, Baramulla, Imtiyaz Hussain tweeted that Shaukat was beaten to death by the family of the Panch. "This Hizbul terrorist was overpowered and beaten to death by family, after family head Mohammad Ramzan shot dead by him and his gang in Shopian", Hussain tweeted along with the picture of the militant.

Superintendent of police, Shopian, Shriram Ambarkar told DNA that the militant was killed when a scuffle broke out between the militants themselves. "He was killed by his own associates. There was scuffle between them. We will soon know the reason of the scuffle," he said

Security forces have cordonned off the area and a massive hunt has been launched to track down the militants responsible for the incident. "Absolute cowardice of Hizbul terrorists; brutal killing of elderly Mohd Ramzan", tweeted deputy inspector general of police, South Kashmir Range

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah condemned the killing and prayed for the departed soul . "Allah jannat naseeb karay (May Allah bestow him Paradise). I unequivocally condemn the targeting of grass-root politicians at the hands of terrorists", he tweeted.