JAMMU: An unarmed intruder who barged into former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah ’s house after smashing its gate with his SUV was shot dead by CRPF jawans here on Saturday. Farooq, a Lok Sabha MP, was in New Delhi for the Parliament session when the attack took place.

Sources said the 26-year-old intruder, identified as Murad Hussain Shah from Mendhar in Poonch district, entered Farooq’s house in the Bhatindi area after breaching the security barricade. He got into a scuffle with security guards in the garden, injuring one of them, and then rushed inside the house. Murad got into the house from the rear gate, which is used by Farooq and his family members, sources said.

“Murad Hussain Shah rammed his black SUV against the main gate around 10.30am. He then entered the house, ransacking everything that came his way. He was shot dead near the stairs that led to the bedrooms of the house. No weapon was recovered from the vehicle or from the deceased,” police sources said.

Police are not clear about the motive behind the intrusion. “We are investigating the matter,” SSP Jammu Vivek Gupta said, adding that initial reports suggested that Murad was able to gain entry through the front door.

The district collector has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident and an FIR has been filed against Murad under various sections of the IPC, including section 307 (attempt to murder).

Murad’s father Imzad Hussain Shah, who runs a gun factory at Ban-Talab area here, questioned why his son was shot and not arrested at the gate instead. “I want to know why he was killed. Where were the security guards when he breached the gate? Why didn't they arrest him?" he said.

Locals also suggested that the killing was “mysterious”, saying the youth was often seen entering Farooq’s house before. “He belonged to a well-to-do family with great political connections,” said a neighbour requesting anonymity.

However, a CRPF officer said that Murad was shot only after he ignored several warnings and went on to vandalise Farooq’s house.

Soon after the attack, Farooq’s son and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah tweeted: “I am aware of the incident that took place at the residence my father & I share in Bhatindi, Jammu. Details are sketchy at the moment. Initial reports suggest an intruder was able to gain entry through the front door & into the upper lobby of the house.”

(With agency inputs)

