Describing the incident as "murder of trust", the Chief Minister wondered how long the police would show restraint as she warned that there could be a backlash if the force loses patience.
Mirwaiz, the head priest of the historic mosque situated in old Srinagar city's Nowhatta area, condemned the incident, saying it was "outside the parameters of our values and religion".
When the mob attacked the 57-year-old police officer, he opened fire from his pistol, injuring three persons.
Hailing from nearby Navpora area, Pandith was beaten up so badly that he could not be identified for quite some time, the sources said.
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He is survived by wife, a daughter and a son. His daughter is doing MBBS in Bangladesh and is currently home for Eid. His son is a graduation student.
Quoting preliminary investigation, the police chief said the mob attacked the DSP when he was coming out of the mosque after checking the access control.
"When the DSP was coming out after checking the access control of the mosque, some miscreants caught hold of him while raising slogans and started beating him up," he said.
Vaid said two persons have been arrested so far and a third has been identified.
"All of them (involved in the lynching) will face the law," the DGP told reporters on the sidelines of the wreath- laying ceremony for the slain officer at district police lines here.
He said an investigation into the case is on.
Asked whether the slain officer was there for the security of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference, the DGP said, "Mirwaiz does come there. It was a sacred occasion yesterday and thousands of people were expected at the mosque and security was made for them."
The incident took place when Muslims across Kashmir were observing 'Shab-e-Qadr' (the night of power) involving night- long prayers and supplications in the mosques and shrines.
The Chief Minister said the Jammu and Kashmir Police was one of the best police forces in the country and was showing maximum restraint in dealing with law and order situation.
"There can be nothing more shameful than this... It is a murder of trust," Mehbooba told reporters after attending the wreath-laying ceremony for the slain officer.
"I want to say that J-K police is one of the best police forces in the country. They are brave but are showing maximum restraint because they feel that they are dealing with their own people. But for how long? The day their patience wanes, then, I believe, things will be difficult," she said.
"I appeal to the people that there is still time and we should understand. The police force is our own force, they are our children and such a treatment is shameful," she added.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq tweeted, "Deeply disturbed and condemn the brutal act at Nowhatta."
In another tweet, he added, "Mob violence & public lynching is outside the parameters of our values and religion. We cannot allow state brutality to snatch our humanity and values."
"I am deeply disturbed by this brutal act. Mob violence and public lynching is outside the parameters of our values and religion."
He went on to add, "it is very important and imperative for us that we do not allow our social fabric to be brutalised and keep our basic values intact."
Former chief minister and National Conference working president Omar Abdullah, while condemning the killing, said, "May the people who lynched DSP Pandith burn in hell for their sins."
"I'm personally anguished and devastated by this tragedy. That this happened on the most auspicious night and outside Jamia Masjid is shocking.
"Such heinous elements are the enemies of Kashmiriyat and humanity and should be given the sternest possible sentence as per law of the land. We are all duty-bound to stand with the family of the martyred police officer and also the Police Department in this hour of mourning and grief," he said.
Omar expressed solidarity with the family and the colleagues of the slain officer and demanded that the culprits be brought to book without any delay and should be given the sternest possible punishment.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi termed the lynching incident as "horrific" and said it marked a new low in the state.
"The brutal lynching of Deputy SP Md Ayub Pandith marks a new low. Pained beyond words at the horrific incident," tweeted Gandhi, who is on vacations in Italy.
"Heartbreaking to see J&K being pushed back several decades because of the complete failure of the PDP/BJP government," he tweeted.
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