When a shopkeeper became Kashmir's most wanted

Jammu and Kashmir cops mistakenly used the image of Irfan Shah, a resident of Kupwara, instead of militant Abdul Qayoom Najar. 

A shopkeeper from north Kashmir’s Kupwara district has claimed that the picture of a wanted militant in Sopore, circulated by the police, was actually his and has alleged that the posters have put his life in danger.

Irfan Shah, a resident of Bomhama area of Kupwara, said he was surprised to see his picture taken during a picnic, being circulated as that of the most wanted militant Abdul Qayoom Najar who is believed to be behind a spate of attacks in Sopore which left six persons dead.

“I was surprised to see my picture, which I had taken during trip to a park in Baramulla last year, in the posters. The picture in police posters has been cut out from this picture in which I had posed along with my cousin. The arm of my cousin is visible in the poster used by the police. The original picture was edited to pass me off as the wanted militant,” Shah said.

Last week, police had announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh each for two militants, Najar and Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo, allegedly involved in the killing in Sopore. Posters announcing the reward were circulated in the township and adjoining areas.

He said the picture in the posters has put his life in danger.

“Police claims that I am a lookalike of wanted militant, but actually my photo has been edited and pasted in the poster which has put my life at risk,” he said.

Shah said fearing his safety, he approached the superintendent of police, Kupwara to clarify the issue. “The SP has issued a certificate to me and told me not to worry, but still I am afraid,” he claimed.

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani said police was investigating the matter. “We have taken cognisance of the complaint and are looking into it,” he said.

The militants, Najar and Kandoo, are believed to have defied the command of Hizbul Mujahideen supremo Syed Salahuddin and have been operating under the shadow name of Lashkar-e-Islam outfit.