Police blame Hizb for killing of Tral woman

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, April 18

A probe by the Jammu and Kashmir Police has revealed that the Hizbul Mujahideen was behind the recent killing of a 50-year-old woman in south Kashmir’s Tral area.

The police had constituted a special investigation team to probe the killing of the woman — the first of a civilian this year.

Superintendent of Police (SP), Awantipora, Shridhar Patil said the Hizbul Mujahideen was behind the killing. “We are, however, ascertaining the exact reason behind the killing,” said the SP.

On March 30 evening, gunmen barged into the house of Hameeda Begum at Noorpora in Tral, 33 km from here, and shot her dead. At the time of the incident, she was alone at her house.

The gunmen escaped taking the advantage of darkness.

Another police officer in south Kashmir said they had identified the two Hizbul militants responsible for the killing. “Both militants are active in the Tral area and are at large,” he said.

No militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

Moderate separatist organistions had condemned the killing.

Security forces have stepped up operations against militants this year and have killed 30 ultras in various gunfights across Kashmir so far.