The recent killing of a retired senior police officer in Baramulla has sparked strong condemnation from former Jammu-Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who has called for unity among all political parties in the fight against terror. The founder-chairman of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party stressed the urgency for political differences to be set aside for a collective effort in combating terrorism in the Union Territory.
Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Azad expressed deep concern over the resurgence of targeted killings in Kashmir, highlighting a recent incident where unidentified terrorists opened fire at former police officer Mohd Shafi while he was offering prayers at a mosque in Gantmulla, Baramulla.
“There were no such incidents in Kashmir over the last six to seven months. However, the targeted killings have started again. I call upon the central government and all political parties to set aside their differences and come together for a decisive battle to crush terrorism,” Azad emphasized.
The slain former police officer, identified as Mohd Shafi, served as a senior superintendent of police (SSP) and retired from service in 2012. The tragic incident occurred as Shafi was offering prayers at the mosque, with terrorists opening fire, leading to his untimely death.
Reacting to the incident, National Conference patriarch and MP Farooq Abdullah expressed his views on the complex issue of terrorism in the region. Abdullah asserted that terrorism could not be defeated solely through security force operations, urging the central government to explore alternative solutions for a lasting resolution.
“We were part of India and will forever remain so. If we have to end terrorism, we’ve got to find ways through which it could be ended. The central government should realize that terrorism cannot be defeated through operations of the security forces,” Abdullah stated.
Mourning the loss of the retired police officer, Abdulkareem Mir, the younger brother of Shafi, provided heartbreaking details of the incident. Shafi, who regularly called fellow Muslims to prayer as the muezzin, was fatally shot during the call for Aazan.
As the region grapples with the tragic loss and the resurgence of targeted violence, the call for unity against terrorism echoes, emphasizing the need for a collective and decisive approach to secure the peace and safety of the Union Territory.
