Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 18: A young man, who was soon to be married, was killed today during an attempted burglary by a thief posing as a security personnel in South Kashmir’s Qazigund area.
According to officials, the incident took place during the intervening night of July 17 and 18, at around 1 a.m., when a man impersonating security force personnel entered the house of Muhammad Yaseen Banday on the pretext of conducting a search operation.
Locals said that soon after entering the house, the intruder snatched the family members’ mobile phones and told them that the area was under a cordon.
“The thief, along with the house owner’s son, Zahid Ahmad Banday, entered a room where Zahid grew suspicious of his identity, which led to a confrontation,” said Bashir Ahmad Bhat, a neighbour.
During the scuffle, one of the intruders attacked Zahid with a sharp edged weapon, inflicting critical injuries. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.
“He was stabbed in the chest and sustained severe injuries. He succumbed soon after reaching the hospital,” locals said.
Soon after the attack, eyewitnesses said, the intruder was overpowered by locals after being pushed to the ground and unable to flee.
He was apprehended and handed over to Police Station Qazigund, while the locals informed that some of his accomplices managed to escape. He has been identified and belongs to a nearby village known as Badrgund.
As per officials, a toy pistol and a sharp knife were recovered from the intruder’s possession.
The apprehended individual also sustained injuries during the confrontation and was later shifted to GMC Anantnag for treatment.
Officials said they have taken cognizance of the incident and registered a case.
“An investigation team has been formed, and a probe is underway to ascertain the circumstances and bust the group of thieves posing as security personnel.”
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