Srinagar: Refuting the family claims that Shabir Ahmed Shiekh from Raipora, Palhalan, Pattan was forced to become a militant, Police Sunday said that Shabir Ahmed Shiekh was an active LeT militant involved in two murder cases.
Shabir was killed in a brief encounter on Friday at Sopore.
Incharge Superintendent of Police, Baramulla and Superintendent of police, Operations, Zubir Ahmed Khan, Deputy Superintendent of Police SOG, Pattan, Gowhar Ahmed and Sub-Divisional Police Officer Pattan, Syed Fayaz Ahmed told CNS that all their attempts to mend Shabir failed as he never listened to them.
SSP, Baramulla, Zubir Ahmed Khan said that how could have police given a positive verification for passport when slain militant, Shabir was involved in so many cases. “He used to visit SOG camp but it is absolutely baseless to claim that police forced him to become a militant. I personally released him so many times with this hope that he will mend himself, but he never mend his way,†Khan told.
He said that it was his duty to inform me or any top police official including DIG or IGP, Kashmir if SOG or Pattan police was harassing him as is claimed by his family now. “In fact, we used to call him for investigation purposes. But we never put him behind the bars and used to release him soon after the questioning,†SSP, Baramulla said.
“His role in Sarpanch killing exposed him and he after that never visited police station and went on hiding. I called his family and the family members of another militant, Hilal Molvi to Baramulla to persude them to surrender. “Top police officials including me tried their best to motivate their families for surrender. I even told their families that they will get justice in case Shabir and Hilal surrender before the police but they failed to persuade their sons,†Khan said and added that Shabir was a leading stone-pelter in Palhalan area and so many cases were registered against him,†Khan said.
SDPO, Pattan, Syed Fayaz Ahmed told CNS that Shabir had a criminal record and he was involved in murder cases. “Look how many FIR’s have been lodged in Police Station Pattan against this slain militant. Cases pertaining to murder, stone-pelting, disturbance vide FIR numbers 202/2006, 209/2010, 165/2010,181/2010, 176/2010, 187/2010 and 207/2012 were registered against him and these cases shows his character,†SDPO Pattan said and added that even there is an FIR in Kunzar Police Station which stands against him.
DySP, SOG Pattan, Gowhar Ahmed told CNS that he never harassed Shabir. “He was not only involved in the killing of Sarpanch Ghulam Mohammad but he killed the former Ikhwani Bashir Ahmed as well,†Gowhar said and added that presently he was an active LeT militant.
Pertinently, the family of Shabir had claimed that SOG and Pattan Police compelled him to join militant ranks.
