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Burglar kills would-be groom | SIT formed to probe Qazigund murder

Qazigund, Jul 18: A 25-year-old man set to be married next month was fatally stabbed during an attempted burglary late Thursday night after the attacker allegedly staged a fake security operation in south Kashmir's Anantnag district. The victim, Zahid Ahmad Banday, a shopkeeper from Sangran village in Qazigund, was killed after confronting a man posing as a security force official who had entered his home under the pretence of conducting a Cordon-and-Search Operation (CASO), Police said. The suspect was later apprehended by residents and handed over to the Police. He was allegedly wearing a black uniform resembling that of security personnel and was carrying a toy pistol, a dagger, and a walkie-talkie. Police said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the killing. The team is headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police, Qazigund, Mansoor Ayaz, under the supervision of Superintendent of Police (SP) National Highway, Mumtaz Bhati, and oversight of Senior Superintendent of Police, Kulgam, Sahil Sarangal. According to locals, the accused arrived around 12:30 am, accompanied by a differently-abled neighbour to lend legitimacy to the ruse. He told the Banday family that a search operation was being carried out and instructed them to hand over their mobile phones and switch off the CCTV camera. "The family believed it was a genuine security operation. But when he began searching rooms and asked to disable surveillance, Zahid became suspicious," said Bashir Ahmad, a retired Army officer and neighbour who spoke with the family. During the confrontation, the accused allegedly stabbed Zahid in the chest as he lay in a pool of blood. He then tried to flee by jumping from a first-floor window, injuring his leg in the process. The locals caught him shortly after and turned him over to the Police. "The attacker even called out after stabbing Zahid, telling the family to pick him up so that they could take him to the hospital," Ahmad said, apparently to delay being caught or appear remorseful. The thief was probably talking to his fellow gang member on a walkie-talkie," Ahmad alleged. Zahid was rushed to the Emergency Hospital Qazigund, where he was declared dead on arrival. The accused is currently in custody after receiving medical treatment. A case has been registered under Sections 64 (murder) and 351(1) (attempt to commit an offence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police are probing whether the accused acted alone or had accomplices, and if he was linked to any criminal or narcotics networks. The residents said that the killing was part of a broader pattern of organised burglary in the area. "Dozens of thefts have occurred over the past year, many targeting families with Police personnel," said Inam Mukhtar, a local youth. "This couldn't have been carried out by one person alone," said Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, another villager. "It was too well planned." Zahid's death has sent shockwaves through Sangran, a village near the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway surrounded by apple orchards. Hundreds attended his funeral on Friday. His family, including his fiancée's father, remained inconsolable. "His Nikah had already taken place. The wedding was scheduled next month," said the father of his fiancée. Residents expressed fear and anger following the incident. "We feel unsafe in our own homes now," said Shazia, a neighbour. Senior Police officials visited the scene and assured the family of a thorough investigation. "The SIT will probe the full extent of the suspect's involvement and whether others were involved," SP Highways Bhati told the people and media persons on the spot. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Kashmir has seen a sharp rise in crimes in recent years, with gruesome murders, thefts, and drug-related offences increasingly becoming common, sparking public concern and widespread media attention.

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