Srinagar
Even as the J&K Police continues its investigation into the killing of Territorial Army man Irfan Dar, 23, in Shopian, the Army suspects that Territorial Army deserter Zahoor Thokar may have been part of the group that killed him.
Reports quoting army officials said initial investigations point out that Zahoor was part of the three-member militant squad that shot dead Dar in an apple orchard at Sazan in Shopian on Saturday.
“We have certain reasons to believe that Zahoor was involved in the killing of the TA soldier. But confirmation is still awaited,” an Army officer privy to the investigations said, quoted Tribune India. He said three militants had intercepted his car and shot him dead.
“Dar, who was on leave, was not abducted as the initial report stated. We also came to know through our sources that Zahoor was spotted around the area after the killing of Dar,” another Army officer, according to the report said.
Zahoor of Sirnoo, Pulwama, had deserted his unit in northern Kashmir’s Baramulla in July along with a rifle and three magazines and later joined militant group Hizbul Mujahideen.
Police sources said Zahoor and Dar were course mates in the Territorial Army and knew each other well. “They had also joined the Army the same year.”
