Sheeraza Akhtar, 20 was the 4th women to be killed by unknown gunmen in last eight months in Kellar, Shopian. Police, however, claimed that she was killed by Hizbul Mujahideen militants.
Since April this year, seven persons including four women, a village head, a kid and his father have been killed in Kellar.
However, the difference between past killings and that of Sheeraza Akhtar is that police is identifying militants as her assassins whereas in past the killers in police files have been registered as unidentified gunmen.
She was killed by militants owing allegiance to Hizbul Muhajideen. They shot her on chin, chest and abdomen and she died on spot, SP Shopian Shahid Mehraj told Rising Kashmir.
He said, The militant group is active in the area. We have killed three militants including divisional commander of Hizb. Four militants are still alive and roaming in the area.
The Kellar police station is doing its job, SP said adding the militants are killing people to create fear.
Another police official said the earlier six killings in Shopian were blamed on unidentified gunmen as the relatives of the victims could not identify the assassins. In Sheerazas case, the family has registered a complaint and blamed militants for the killing, he said.
The past cases are being investigated. Only after completion of investigations can we identify the assassins, the official said.
However, in all the cases, police is unable to explain the actual motive of the killings.
The killing of civilians has drawn strong criticism from the government. Had it been an act of security forces, there would have been a hue and cry all over, the chief minister, Omar Abdullah had said.
Interestingly, the area where the killings have taken place is close to police station and an army picket.
TIMELINE
April 15: A 60 year old woman Reshma was killed and her son critically injured in an attack at Donadoo, Kellar area. Two unidentified gunmen barged into the house of 35 year-old Aslam Awan at Donadoo and fired indiscriminately on the members of the family, causing death of Awans mother.
May 31: Unidentified gunmen shot dead a village head hailing from Muqaam-Donadu, Keller. The 48-year-old Saifuddin Kallar was shot dead at Zehan Behak.
June 3: Unidentified gunmen barged into house of one Sharief Ahmad Awan and shot dead his teen-aged daughter, Nigeena at Donadu Kellar.
July 17: Gunmen barged into the house of Ghulam Ahmad Dar at Mujpathri Kellar and shot dead his 17-year old daughter, Parveena Akhter.
July 23: Unknown gunmen intruded into the house of Mohammad Aslam Awan at Pahlipora Donadu and fired indiscriminately upon family members, killing him and his 3-year-old son, Arif. The gunmen had made an abortive bid to kill Aslam earlier on April 15. Aslam sustained bullet injuries while his mother died on the spot.
Rising Kashmir, Daily Newspaper, Srinagar Jammu and Kashmir - Keller: 8 months on, 4 women among 7 killed