Srinagar, Nov 16: Daughter of Altaf Ahmed, who ran cement and house hardware business at Hyderpora By-Pass, has made a fervent plea to the authorities to make their family know why their father was killed in the encounter that took place near his business establishment on Monday evening.
Altaf Ahmed, aged 48, is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son, and is a resident of Barzulla area of Srinagar.
In an official statement yesterday, police said that two militants and the civilian were killed during an operation in Hyderpora in Srinagar. Police said the militants had been hiding inside the shopping complex owned by the businessman.
The family members of Altaf Ahmed alleged that he was used as a “human shield” by the forces. The family members also demonstrated outside their home on Monday night, demanding handover of his body for burial.
“He was killed in cold blood. His (our father’s) nephew was accompanying him at the time of the incident. We got to know the circumstances of how he was shot dead. He was just a businessman. We deserve to be told how and why he was killed”, Altaf’s daughter said while speaking to media persons at their home in Barzulla, Srinagar.
“Our small brother continues to ask for his daddy. He doesn’t know what all has happened, and we are unable to tell him what has happened. Is this the rule of law?”, she asked.
Last night, Saima Bhat, Altaf Ahmed’s niece had tweeted, “You killed my innocent uncle Mohammad Altaf Bhat in cold-blooded murder In Hyderpora, you used him as human shield and now saying he was ‘OGW’. Return us his body @JmuKmrPolice @SrinagarPolice @IGP,”
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded a speedy investigation into Bhat’s death.
“These allegations are grave and merit speedy investigation. Least@JmuKmrPolice could do is hand over the dead body to the family for a decent burial. Are even dead ones a threat to peace now?” the PDP tweeted.
On Monday night, Vijay Kumar, the inspector general of police (IGP) Kashmir, tweeted, “The house owner who was injured in the militant fire succumbed to injuries. Militants have been hiding on the top floor of his building. As per sources and digital evidence, he has been working as a militant associate.”
