Thaindian News

Srinagar, June 10 (IANS) A dispute over a loan was the reason for the daylight murder of a man here Sunday, police said Friday. Three people including a militant have been arrested.

Muhammad Afzal Dar, 55, a resident of Sopore town in north Kashmir was shot dead by unidentified assassins in Srinagar, sending shock waves across as violence levels had declined in the Valley during the recent months.

“Two people identified as Farooq Ahmad and Perveiz Ahmad Tantray, both residents of Sopore area, were arrested and interrogated by police in connection with Dar’s murder. It transpired during the investigations that Dar was lending money lending on interest and he had a long pending money dispute with Ahmad and Tantray,” Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir zone S.M. Sahai told media persons here.

He said a cheque of Rs. 32.7 lakh was recovered by police from Dar’s belongings. It was found out that Ahmad telephoned Dar and called him to Srinagar June 6 for encashment of the cheque, Sahai said.

Meanwhile, the duo had plotted Dar’s murder, involving a released militant of the Hizbul Mujahideen group, identified as Lateef Ahmad.

“Lateef who carried a pistol came down to Srinagar. Farooq identified Dar for the assassin by walking alongside him on the road while Perveiz kept his car ready for the escape. Lateef shot Dar from a point blank range in Pratap Park area of Srinagar,” Sahai said.

He said all the three accused have been arrested and the murder weapon has also been recovered.