The two Hizbul Mujahideen militants, killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Kashmir last week, had unleashed a reign of terror in the south Kashmir belt for over a decade, targeting local army jawans, panchayat members, civilians and even an Imam, a senior police official has said.
"Sajad Ahmed Mir and Mohammed Ashraf Molvi, who were eliminated at Wandena village in Shopian on Saturday, had brought misery to poor households in south Kashmir particularly Pulwama and Shopian districts as most of their victims belonged to economically weaker sections of society," said the police official, who did not wish to be named.
He said the duo was involved in several killings, dating back to 2005, in Pulwama and Zainapora area of South Kashmir.
"On May 11 this year, the duo killed 30-year-old Imam of a local Masjid Mudasir Ahmad Mir at Lassipora. He was the sole bread earner of his family that includes his old father and three minor children whose future has been consigned to darkness," the officer said.
He said Sarpanch Ghulam Mohammad Lone, who was killed inside his home at Kulpora in Pulwama on April 9 this year, was another victim of the two militants.
"Lone, a poor farmer, has left behind two unmarried daughters and a son, who is a student," he added. The son is now contemplating quitting studies to support his sisters.
According to investigations, Ashraf was also involved in kidnapping and killing of an 18-year-old taxi driver Maroof Ahmad Rather in Litter area of Pulwama in 2005.
