Authorities on Thursday recovered the body of former chief of a militant outfit from a mosque in Maisuma locality of Srinagar under highly suspicious circumstances.
Reports said a team of Srinagar police recovered the body of Abdul Gani Dar alias Gani Gazali, 80, resident of Russu area of Budgam from the mosque in Maisuma locality of Srinagar.
An official spokesperson said Srinagar police received information about the murder of a person inside a mosque in Maisuma area of Srinagar in the afternoon hours today.
Accordingly senior police officers visited the crime spot and retrieved the body. The deceased was found in mysterious conditions on the second storey of Jamia Ahl-e-Hadis mosque in Maisuma area of Srinagar after Zuhr prayers.
“Photography and video recording of the crime spot was carried out besides team members from FSL were called on spot for the examination of scene of crime. Following the scientific procedures of investigation, circumstantial evidences and samples were lifted from the scene of crime for the purpose of investigation,” the official statement said.
“Detailed search of the premises was also carried out. Police is also examining the CCTV footage pertaining to the area, statement said. The body of the victim was taken to hospital for conducting of medico legal formalities and will be handed over to the family members after completion of medico legal formalities,” the statement said.
Police have registered a case in this regard and started investigation in the matter.
“We assure community members that investigation in the matte will be fast tracked in a professional and impartial manner,” the statement reads.
According to family sources, he had left his home for Srinagar on Thursday morning, saying he was going for some personnel work. They said that he had left militancy and was living a normal life with his family.
A local news agency reported that he was a co-accused in Moulana Showkat assassination case.
“Prima facie it seems a murder while CCTV footage will be checked to identify the killers. The assailants have probably used some sharp tools to disfigure the face of the victim. Locals found blood oozing out from the disfigured face of Dar,” reports said.
“When police was called in, the man was already dead. A police team led by SP East Sheema Nabi Qasba inspected the spot. When the identity card of the deceased was checked, it confirmed that it is the body of former militant Abdul Gani Dar,” reports added.