Srinagar, Jul 19 (KNS): Unidentified gunmen on Friday afternoon shot dead a Personal Security Officer (PSO) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Mehbooba Mufti’s cousin brother Sajad Mufti outside shrine in Baba Mohalla area of Bijbehara in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Police identified the slain cop as Constable Farooq Ahmad of Dirpora Khiram, saying that he was attacked by militants at Ziyarat Baba Naseer-ud-din Gazi in Bijbehara of Anantnag during Friday prayers.

Ahmad was standing guard outside shrine when he was shot dead by the gunmen.

The former chief Minister’s cousin brother was offering prayers at Ziyarat Baba Naseer-ud-din Gazi when his PSO Farooq Ahmad was shot dead.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The cop was immediately rushed to the Sub District Hospital Bijbehara for treatment where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

However, reports said the gunmen also decamped with the service rifle of Ahmad.

Meanwhile, police paid tributes to the slain cop and expressed solidarity with his bereaved family. “We stand by his family at this critical juncture,” Kashmir Zone Police said in a tweet.

The wreath laying ceremony for the slain cop was held at District police Line (DPL) Anantnag.

Police officers led by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Swayam Prakash Pani laid floral wreaths on his mortal remains and paid tributes to the cop. (KNS)