20 arrested in Ayub Pandith lynching case

The Jammu and Kashmir Police has arrested 20 persons in connection with the mob lynching of DSP Ayub Pandith in Srinagar last month, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Munir Khan said in Srinagar on Monday.

A militant involved in the killing of the police officer was shot dead in an encounter with security forces on July 12, the IGP said addressing a press conference on the status of the investigations in the case.

Pandith was lynched outside Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of the city on June 22.

The IGP said the investigation in the case is still on and more arrests are likely to take place.

“So far 20 accused have been arrested and one more, a militant identified as Sajad Ahmad Gilkar, was killed in an encounter with the security forces in Redbugh area of Budgam on July 12,” Khan said.

“The investigation of the case is going on at a fast pace and some more arrests are expected which will lead to the completion of the investigation and the case will be submitted for judicial determination,” he said.

“The important pieces of evidence including an iron rod, by which the officer was hit, his identity card, service pistol (in a damaged condition) and his cell phone have been recovered,” he said.