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{{Use Indian English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = 2017 Nowhatta mob lynching
| partof = [[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir]]<br/>[[Kashmir conflict]]
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Location of murder
| map = India Jammu and Kashmir location map UN view.svg
| map_size =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| location = Inside and near [[Jamia Masjid, Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India
| target = [[Deputy Superintendent|DSP]] Mohammed Ayub Pandith of [[Jammu and Kashmir Police]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|34.098352|N|74.809180|E}}
| date = 22 June 2017
| time = Between 11:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/police-officer-mohammed-ayub-pandith-lynched-outside-srinagars-jamia-masjid/article19131291.ece Police officer Mohammed Ayub Pandith lynched outside Srinagar's Jamia Masjid] [[The Hindu]], 23 June 2017</ref>
| timezone = UTC+5.30
| type = [[Lynching]]<ref name=mus1/><br /> [[Stabbing|Piercing]]<ref name=statetimes1/><br /> [[Stoning]]<ref name=fpost1/><ref name=toi1/>
| fatalities = 1
| injuries = 3
| victims = Muhammad Ayub Pandith<ref name=mus1/>
| perpetrators = A mob shouting slogans in support of Pakistan and al-Qaida operative Zakir Musa,<ref name=toi1/><ref name=barka1/> with a key role played by [[Hizbul Mujahideen]] militant Sajid Gilkar<ref name=ETa1/>
| weapons = Stones, logs and sharp weapons<ref name=toi1/><ref name=zeenews1/>
| assailants = Large mob
| motive = Suspicion of being an agent of Indian security services<ref name=Pandithshots/><ref name=Ishfaq/><ref name=Pandithshotsa/>
| numparts = 
| dfens = 
| inquiry = Inquiry under process by Jammu and Kashmir Police
| coroner =
| accused = Hizbul terrorist Sajid Ahmad Gilkar killed in counter-terrorism operation.
| convicted =
| verdict = Prosecution initiated. Special investigation undertaken by State Police.
| convictions =
| charges = Murder u/s 302 [[Ranbir Penal Code]]
| litigation =
| website = 
| module =
}}

The ''' 2017 Nowhatta mob lynching''', was the lynch mob murder and mutilation of an on-duty undercover Indian [[Jammu and Kashmir Police]] officer Muhammad Ayub Pandith, on the Muslim holy night of [[Laylat al-Qadr]] on Thursday 22 June 2017 by a mob in [[Nowhatta]] after a crowd shouted slogans in favor of [[Pakistan]] as well as [[al-Qaida]] jihadist [[Zakir Musa]].<ref name=toi1/><ref name=barka1/><ref name=fpost1/> Sajjad Ahmad Gilkar, a [[Hizbul Mujahideen]] militant, had played a key role in the lynching according to the state police.<ref name=ETa1/>

==Details==
[[Deputy Superintendent]] Mohammed Ayub Pandith, who worked in the security wing of [[Jammu and Kashmir Police]], was deployed in civilian clothing as part of the security for devotees attending the night-long prayers in the Jamia Masjid in the [[Nowhatta]] area of [[Srinagar]]'s old city on 22 June. [[Indo-Asian News Service|IANS]] quoted informed sources stating that he was on frisking duty when he was attacked.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/j-k-mob-stones-man-to-death-after-he-opens-fire-outside-mosque-in-nowhatta/story-zFIisCu2SnqGMSqt4ktWwO.html|title=Kashmir: Senior police officer lynched by mob near Jamia Masjid in Srinagar|work=Hindustan Times |date=23 June 2017|publisher=}}</ref><ref name=fpost1/><ref name=zeen1>[http://zeenews.india.com/jammu-and-kashmir/srinagar-mob-lynches-senior-cop-to-death-outside-jamia-masjid-2017780.html "Srinagar cop stripped naked, stoned to death by angry mob outside Jamia Masjid; 2 arrested"], [[Zee News]], 23 June 2017.</ref><ref name=toi1>M Saleem Pandit, [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/mob-lynches-dsp-outside-jk-mosque/articleshow/59293121.cms "Mob lynches DSP outside J&K mosque"], [[Times of India]], 24 June 2017.</ref> He had been posted for quite some time and many locals who regularly visited the mosque knew him.<ref>[https://www.indiatoday.in/india/jammu-and-kashmir/story/srinagar-top-cop-lynched-to-death-crowd-984231-2017-06-22 Srinagar: DSP Ayyub Pandith beaten to death by mob outside Jamia Masjid] India Today, 23 June 2017</ref> The mob had earlier shouted slogans in support of [[Pakistan]] pro al-Qaida slogans for operative and jihadist [[Zakir Rashid Bhat|Zakir Musa]]. It was reported that the sloganeering had been recorded by Pandith.<ref name=toi1/><ref name=barka1>[[Barkha Dutt]], [http://www.hindustantimes.com/columns/in-a-week-of-tragedy-four-reasons-that-give-me-hope-in-kashmir/story-whWE88g272yIL4eM0RwU7H.html "In a week of tragedy, four reasons that give me hope in Kashmir], [[Hindustan Times]], 14 July 2017.</ref><ref name=mus1>Sameer Yasir, [http://www.firstpost.com/india/lynching-of-dsp-ayub-pandith-rising-public-hostility-unsafe-locales-and-the-travails-of-cops-in-kashmir-3753617.html "Lynching of DSP Ayub Pandith: Rising public hostility, unsafe locales and the travails of cops in Kashmir"], Firstpost, 28 June 2017.</ref> According to Munir Khan, [[Inspector General of Police|IGP]] of Kashmir Range, Pandith was spotted by four miscreants when he came out of the mosque after checking deployment for [[access control]] duties. They called and questioned him, later demanding him to show his identity card but he refused. He was then heckled and the number of hooligans increased. He then fired some shots with his service rifle, injuring three hecklers. The mob however continued to beat him, resulting in his death.<ref name=Pandithshots>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/20-arrested-in-ayub-pandith-lynching-case-1003242-2017-07-24|title=20 arrested in Ayub Pandith lynching case|work=India Today|date=24 July 2017}}</ref> Suspicions on Pandith were raised when people witnesses him clicking photos near a mosque.<ref name=Pandithshotsa>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/jk-police-crack-dsp-ayub-pandith-lynching-case-arrest-20-people-1470773.html|title=J&K Police Crack DSP Ayub Pandith Lynching Case, Arrest 20 People|work=News18|date=24 July 2017}}</ref>

It was reported that the earlier sloganeering by the crowd had been recorded by Pandith.<ref name=toi1/><ref name=barka1/><ref name=mus1/> Per [[Additional director general of police|ADGP]] of Jammu and Kashmir Police (Security) Dilbagh Singh, some people had spread false rumours that he was from security agency.<ref name=Ishfaq>Ishfaq-ul-Hassan, [http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-lynch-mob-stones-to-death-on-duty-dy-sp-in-srinagar-2482376 J&K cop's lynching: How long is police expected to endure such cruelty?], [[Daily News & Analysis]], 18 July 2017.</ref> He also stated that the reports of Pandith being caught after taking pictures of the sloganeering mob were just rumours.<ref name=statetimes1/> A member of the [[Hizbul Mujahideen]] terrorist group, Sajid Ahmad Gilkar had played a key role in the lynching according to the state police.<ref name=ETa1>{{cite news|title=Slain militant played key role in lynching of DSP Pandith: Police|journal=The Economic Times|agency=[[Press Trust of India|PTI]]|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/slain-militant-played-key-role-in-lynching-of-dsp-pandith-police/articleshow/59567152.cms |date= 12 July 2017}}</ref> According to [[Shesh Paul Vaid]], he had been sent to the mosque to ensure the protection of people offering prayers and sent his security detail home when worshippers singled him out and began closing in. Eyewitnesses however gave a different explanation stating that he was spotted with at least one other man, and one of them was taking photographs, after which a group of youngsters confronted them and asked them about their identity papers.<ref name=pan1>[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/23/world/asia/kashmir-srinagar-police-officer.html Police Officer Beaten to Death by a Mob in Kashmir], ''[[The New York Times]]'', 23 June 2017.</ref> Pandith had tried to escape by firing his pistol, leaving three people injured. According to eyewitnesses, rumours spread that he was a "non-Muslim" belonging to the "security agencies" after which he was killed.<ref name=nonmuslim1>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/police-officer-mohammed-ayub-pandith-lynched-outside-srinagars-jamia-masjid/article19131291.ece|title=Police officer Mohammed Ayub Pandith lynched outside Srinagar's Jamia Masjid|publisher=Hindustan Times|accessdate=15 July 2017}}</ref><ref name=toi1/> A police officer claimed he had been targeted because the crowd thought him to be a [[Kashmiri Pandit]] due to his surname.<ref name=kashmiripandit1>Anil Raina, [http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/200-lynch-police-officer-on-duty-outside-jamia-masjid/articleshow/59290939.cms? "200 lynch police officer on duty outside Jamia Masjid"], Bangalore Mirror [India Times], 24 June 2017.</ref> Witnesses stated that the mob killed him after he fired at them, with people shouting they had caught a "man of the [[Crime Investigation Department (India)|C.I.D.]]".<ref name=pan1/> He was abused as an "Indian [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|IB]] and [[Research and Analysis Wing|RAW]] security agent".<ref name=toi1/> He was attacked, stripped naked, hit with stones, batons, iron rods, sharp weapons and logs and his body was recovered in a mutilated state.<ref name=statetimes1/><ref name=toi1/><ref name=fpost1>Sandipan Sharma,[http://www.firstpost.com/india/dsp-ayub-pandith-lynched-in-srinagar-barbaric-event-shows-kashmiris-are-stepping-away-from-their-cultural-religious-ethos-3738975.html "DSP Ayub Pandith lynched in Srinagar: Barbaric event shows Kashmiris have abandoned cultural, religious ethos"], Firstpost, 23 June 2017.</ref> Another eyewitness stated that some of the attackers were seen biting arms and legs of Ayub's fallen naked body "like dogs".<ref name=statetimes1>[http://news.statetimes.in/dysp-ayub-not-attacked-taking-videos-police-didnt-reach-90-minutes/ "DySP Ayub was not attacked while taking videos; Police didn't reach for 90 minutes"], [http://news.statetimes.in State Times], 25 June 2017</ref>

The chief-priest of the mosque and chairman of the separatist [[Hurriyat Conference]], [[Mirwaiz Umar Farooq]], was leading a prayer on forgiveness in the mosque, where Pandith was serving on his usual duty to protect the mosque and its worshipers from the troubles. After the lynching, the mob went on a rampage and targeted empty security pickets. Police reinforcements were later deployed to restore normalcy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/nowhatta-mob-lynching-jammu-kashmir-dysp-mohammed-ayub-pandith-killed-jamia-masjid-srinagar-4717934/|title=Nowhatta mob lynching: DySP Mohammed Ayub Pandith beaten to death near Jamia Masjid|date=23 June 2017|publisher=}}</ref><ref name=mri1>{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-police-dsp-mohammed-ayub-pandith-killed-by-mob-at-nowhatta/731847/|title=DSP Nowhatta mob lynching: Jammu and Kashmir cop Mohammed Ayub Pandith stoned to death near Jamia Mosque in Srinagar|date=23 June 2017|publisher=}}</ref><ref name=toi1/>

A relative of Ayub Pandith criticised the separatists on [[Zee News]], blaming them for his death and alleging that the mob killed Pandith thinking he was a [[Kashmiri Pandit]].<ref name=zeenews1>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8cuhAnqg5Y "Mob lynched Mohammad Ayub thinking of him being Kashmiri Pandit"], [[Zee News]], 23 June 2017.</ref> Pandith's sister questioned his killing on NDTV, while also denying he was an "informer".<ref name=sis1>[https://www.thequint.com/india/2017/06/23/mohammad-ayub-funer-lynched-mourn "Wasn't An Informer, Why Was He Killed, Ask J&K Cop Pandith's Kin"], [https://www.thequint.com The Quint], 24 June 2017.</ref><ref name=zeenews1/>

== Aftermath ==

===Immediate response by Police ===
On 23 June early morning, soon after the incident Nowhatta Police was informed about the murder. Nearly after an hour, heavy reinforcement of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force had to resort to fire several shots in air to safely recover the mutilated corpse of slain Deputy superintendent of Police who was lying naked in the vicinity of Jamia Masjid. He was yet to be identified as there was confusion regarding his identity. J&K Police in its earlier statement had told reporters that the corpse was not of a Police department personnel. Police took the body to Police Control Room in [[Srinagar]] where it was ascertained that the slain was Deputy superintendent of Police deployed in civvies to access the situation in [[Jamia Masjid, Srinagar]] on the night of [[Laylat al-Qadr]] when a huge number of [[Sunni Islam|Sunni Muslim]] devotees throng Jamia Masjid. Nowhatta Police Station, under whose jurisdiction lynching took place immediately registered a case vide FIR No 51/2017 Under Section 302 (murder). Two youth identified as Muhammad Danish and Mudasir Ahmad were arrested promptly by Police and one was identified on 23 June. Director of [[Jammu and Kashmir Police]], [[Shesh Paul Vaid]] was himself supervising the progress in investigations.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/front-page/massive-outrage-as-police-officer-beaten-to-death/253062.html | title=Massive outrage as police officer beaten to death in Kashmir capital}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-mob-lynching-irate-stone-alleged-gunman-to-death-near-mosque-in-srinagar-4717869/|title=Irate mob lynches alleged gunman near mosque in Srinagar|date=23 June 2017|publisher=}}</ref>

On 24 June, Vaid told media reporters, twelve persons have been suspected in the lynching incident and three of them were arrested reaching a toll of five persons in aggregation. Vaid also ordered transfer of Khaliq Bhat, the then Superintendent of Police North [[Srinagar]] under whose jurisdiction remained the area where the lynching took place.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jk-dsp-lynching-3-more-arrested-seven-identified/article19139861.ece Mob lynching of J&K DSP: 3 more arrested] The Hindu, 24 June 2017</ref>

On 24 July, Muneer Khan disclosed at a press conference, at least twenty suspects were arrested in this case so far while one Hizb militant involved in the lynching was also killed in an encounter at Beerwah in Budgamon on 11 July.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/srinagar/dsp-lynching-case-20-people-arrested-says-ig-kashmir/articleshow/59737112.cms|title=Budgam: DSP lynching case: 20 people arrested, says IG Kashmir|last=P|first=M. Saleem|date=24 July 2017|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-03-17}}</ref>

The suspects are being tried at a Srinagar [[sessions court]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kashmirreader.com/2018/07/11/dsp-ayub-pandit-lynching-court-reserves-order-on-transfer-of-case/|title=DSP Ayub Pandit lynching: Court reserves order on transfer of case|date=11 July 2018|access-date=18 June 2019|archive-date=18 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618041721/https://kashmirreader.com/2018/07/11/dsp-ayub-pandit-lynching-court-reserves-order-on-transfer-of-case/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Key suspect shot dead ===
[[Deputy inspector general of police|DIG]], M. Dinakaran informed that Hizbul terrorist ''Sajid Ahmad Gilkar'', who played a key part in the mob killing of Pandith, was shot dead on morning of 12 July 2017 by the security forces in a shootout. He was also involved in 22 April grenade attacks on the CRPF at Nowhatta on 22, 30 April April attack on Khanyar police party, and 21 June attack on SafaKadal CRPF camp.<ref name=ETa1/> On 11 July 2017 evening, Indian security forces were fired up on during a [[Cordon and search]] operation launched after receiving specific inputs about the presence of militants. Search operation was halted for the night, while the cordon stayed to stop militants from escaping. The shoot out started in the morning, and another mob of villager formed to help the terrorists escape was successfully driven away. In the shoot out, security forces shot dead three Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorists including Gilkar. Forces also recovered an AK-56 assault rifle, a self-loading rifle, a pistol and seven magazines.<ref name=hit1>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/man-behind-ayub-pandith-s-lynching-among-3-militants-killed-in-budgam-police/story-83uKp9pNYxW3tSImPuMrDI.html "Man behind Ayub Pandith's lynching among 3 militants killed in Budgam: Police"], [[Hindustan Times]], 12 July 2017.</ref>

=== Anti-terrorism Operation Hunt Down ===
Security forces, including J&K Police and [[Paramilitary forces of India|Central Paramilitary forces of India]], jointly intensified the [[cordon and search]] grid-based ''"Operation Hunt Down"'' to track and kill the LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists placed on the identified "hit list", and had already killed 102 terrorists from 1 January to 14 July 2017, including the extermination of terrorists responsible for the killing of seven J&K Police cops and the lynching of DSP Ayub Pandith, while a colossal hunt was on for mastermind of [[2017 Amarnath Yatra attack]], [[Lashkar-e-Taiba|LeT]] commander ''Abu Ismail''.<ref name=toi2>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/security-forces-killed-102-terrorists-in-jk-in-7-months-more-on-hit-list/articleshow/59598301.cms "Security forces killed 102 terrorists in J&K in 7 months, more on hit list"], [[Times of India]], 14 July 2017.</ref>

== Reactions ==
The lynching caused an outrage among political and social circles.<ref name=Massiveoutrage>[http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/front-page/massive-outrage-as-police-officer-beaten-to-death/253062.html Massive outrage as police officer beaten to death in Kashmir capital] Greater Kashmir, 24 June 2017</ref> The family of Pandith criticised the killers and separatists for his death.<ref name=toi1/><ref name=sis1/><ref name=zeenews1/>

[[Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir]] [[Mehbooba Mufti]] criticized the lynching, terming it as shameful while paying tribute to Pandith. She also praised the state police while also cautioning the people of severe backlash i the police loses its patience.<ref>[http://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/mehbooba-mufti-mirwaiz-umar-farooq-condemn-killing-of-jammu-and-kashmir-cop-ayub-pandith-lynching/64037 Shameful, says Mehbooba Mufti on cop lynching; Mirwaiz seconds view] Times Now</ref> [[Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir|Deputy Chief Minister]] [[Nirmal Kumar Singh]] called it "murder" and assured of action in the case. He also criticized the separatists stating that they don't speak out when such incidents take place.<ref>[http://www.aninews.in/newsdetail-Mg/MzIxMjUy/nirmal-singh-brands-cop-lynching-as-039-murder-039-slams-separatists.html Nirmal Singh brands cop lynching as 'murder', slams separatists] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704163655/http://www.aninews.in/newsdetail-Mg/MzIxMjUy/nirmal-singh-brands-cop-lynching-as-039-murder-039-slams-separatists.html |date=2017-07-04 }} Asian New International</ref> [[Jammu & Kashmir National Conference|National Conference]]'s working president [[Omar Abdullah]] called the lynching as "height of barbarism", expressing solidarity with Pandith's family and colleagues while demanding that the culprits be brought to book and given the sternest possible punishment.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170626021032/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/jun/23/omar-abdullah-condemns-lynching-of-police-officer-in-srinagar-1620047.html Omar Abdullah condemns lynching of police officer in Srinagar] The New Indian Express</ref>

Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq too criticized it, stating he was "deeply disturbed by the brutal act" while blaming the state for it as a response to its use of the police which he stated was used for "brutalisation". He also denied being in the mosque when the lynching occurred, stating that it occurred before he reached there.<ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-brutal-ways-leads-to-brutal-reactions-mirwaiz-umar-farooq-on-mohammed-ayub-pandith-s-lynching-2481811 Brutal ways lead to brutal reactions: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Mohammed Ayub Pandith's lynching] Daily News & Analysis</ref>

Tariq Ahmad, a Jammu and Kashmir police officer, stated that it had become dangerous for him to go outside and pray in the neighbourhood mosque, while some of the locals had become hostile to Kashmiri policemen. Former DGP K Rajendra Kumar stated that the anger of Kashmiris towards the police should be seen as an emerging situation where both sides are hardening their stance, the role of Kashmiri police should be taken into account who have been beaten up, with their families threatened and houses vandalised. He stated that the incident took place after Zakir Musa threatened the police and Hurriyat, adding that slogans were raised in Musa's favor because of political and religious radicalisation among the youth. He stated that he couldn't remember the way J&K Police were seen as enemies by their own people as they were currently.<ref name=mus1/>

==See also==
* [[Kashmir conflict]]
* [[Zakir Rashid Bhat]]
* [[Hizbul Mujahideen]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nowhatta mob lynching, 2017}}
[[Category:2010s in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Lynching deaths in India]]
[[Category:June 2017 crimes in Asia]]
[[Category:June 2017 in India]]
[[Category:2017 murders in India]]
[[Category:Murder in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Law enforcement in India]]
[[Category:Indian Police Service officers]]

2017 Nowhatta mob lynching - Revision history

XMC.PL-Master at 05:20, 25 November 2025