Srinagar, Dec 24: Several political leaders condemned the barbaric killing of a retired Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mohammad Shafi Mir who was mercilessly shot by the terrorists while he was performing the Azaan inside a mosque at Gantmulla, Sheeri, in north Kashmir’s Baramulla on Sunday morning.
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh strongly condemned the incident in which a retired police officer was shot dead by terrorists while offering prayers at a mosque.
Chugh said it was not just a cowardly act of terrorists but was also an insult and disgrace to the religious place. “It was a shame that terrorists fired on Mohammed Shafi, a former SP, during Azan in the mosque which showed how desperate they are. Attacking a person in the place of worship was the most heinous crime for which the terrorists will have to pay heavily,” he said.
Ashok Koul, BJP State General Secretary (Org) for Jammu and Kashmir, condemned the killing as an act of cowardice. He assured that terrorists responsible for such violence would not go unpunished.
Speaking with the media persons in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, Koul said no religion condones such acts of violence. He highlighted the officer’s four decades of service to Jammu and Kashmir.
“They have been affected by the loss. These terrorists will soon be eliminated; they will not be spared,” he said. Ashok reinforced the BJP’s stance against targeted killings and conveyed strong condemnation for the recent attack on a security forces’ vehicle in the Poonch district of Jammu.
The BJP leader attributed the violent acts to the neighbouring country which he said wants to disrupt peace in Kashmir. “We carried out surgical strikes in the past, and we can take other measures to tackle terrorists if the need arises,” Kaul asserted, underscoring the party’s commitment to countering terrorism.
In his condolence message, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and MP from Srinagar, Dr Farooq Abdullah said, “I unequivocally condemn the cowardly killing of retired SSP Mr. Mohammad Shafi Mir in Gantmulla Baramulla. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of the former police officer in this hour of utter grief and demise. May the departed soul of Mohammad Shafi Mir rest in peace and solace in the world hereafter. Such incidents besides being a telling indictment of deteriorating security situation also debunk the claims of govt on return of peace to the valley.”
Denouncing the killing of a former police officer who was shot dead inside Masjid in Baramulla on Sunday, the NC Vice President Omar Adbullah said, “My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Such heinous acts of violence cannot be tolerated. May the departed soul rest in peace.” Other party leaders also condemned the killing in the strongest possible terms.
NC Additional General Secretary and former minister Ajay Sadhotra termed the killing of SSP in a place of worship as “most unfortunate and highly deplorable”.
“My thoughts and condolences go out to the family of the martyr former police officer and I pray for peace to the departed soul and strength to his kith, kin and friends to bear this irreparable loss,” Sadhotra said in a statement. He also condemned the killing of three civilians in “most tragic circumstances” in the Rajouri-Poonch Sector in the aftermath of the terror ambush on an army vehicle, resulting in the martyrdom of four personnel, saying such acts are unacceptable.
Condemning the barbaric killing of the retired police officer, People’s Democratic Party leader Sartaj Madni “expressed sorrow over the escalation in violence, causing pain to the people of J&K”. He called for a transparent approach to ensure public safety and address the complexities of the conflict region, affirming that the party founder Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s roadmap remained the “ultimate solution”.
Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed shock and grief over the brutal killing of retired SSP. In a statement issued here, Bukhari said, “I am deeply shocked by this barbaric act of terrorism. I am unable to comprehend how the terrorists targeted and killed the retired police officer while he was inside the mosque, calling for Fajr prayers. This is one of the most brutal acts of terrorism that people fall prey to every now and then in Jammu and Kashmir. Mindless violence of this nature must be condemned by everyone in the strongest possible terms. I urge the security agencies to swiftly nab the killers of Mohammad Shafi Mir Sahib to ensure they are brought to justice.”
He prayed, “May Almighty Allah rest the soul of the deceased in eternal peace and grant him Jammat ul Firdous. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Mohammad Shafi Mir. May Allah bestow upon them the strength to endure this tragic loss.”
Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen, Chairman Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and former minister, denounced the dastardly act as an unforgivable crime, emphasizing that all religions, including Islam, strictly prohibit the killing of innocent human beings. He extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul.
The PDF Chief urged the government to take adequate measures to ensure the security of civilians, saying the surge in incidents of targeted killings in Kashmir that have instilled fear and insecurity among the common people. He asserted that such barbaric killings have no place in a civilized society.
