PSO of Mehbooba’s Cousin Shot Dead by Militants in J&K’s Anantnag

The shooting took place when Mufti Sajad had gone into a mosque in Bijbehara to offer congregational prayers.

J&K Police. Image for representational purposes.

(Photo: PTI)

Militants on Friday, 19 July, shot dead a personal security officer (PSO) of Mufti Sajad, a PDP leader and relative of former CM Mehbooba Mufti, in Bijbehara in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, police said.

"The incident took place in Baba Mohalla when the PDP leader was offering Friday prayers inside the Astan Masjid while his PSO was waiting outside," police told IANS.

The PSO, Constable Farooq Ahmad, was standing outside the mosque, when the militants opened fire on him from close range, he said, adding that the PDP leader is reportedly safe.

The gunmen took off with the service rifle of the PSO, reports IANS.

The area has reportedly been cordoned off and a search launched to nab assailants.

(With inputs from IANS)