Rising Kashmir, Daily Newspaper, Srinagar Jammu and Kashmir - Jolt to quiet talks
Srinagar, Dec 04: Senior separatist leader and Hurriyat (M) executive member Fazal Haq Qureshi was shot at from a close range outside his Soura residence Friday evening, injuring him critically.
Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has called for Kashmir bandh on Saturday while the faction led by Syed Ali Geelani has smelt conspiracy behind the attack.
SP Hazratbal Maqsood-u-Zaman told Rising Kashmir that unidentified gunmen shot at Hurriyat (M) leader Fazal Haq Qureshi from close range at 5.45 pm while he was coming out of a Masjid near his residence in Bilal Colony Soura after offering evening prayers.
He said nobody has seen the people, who carried out the attack as it was dark.
Police have registered a case and started investigations, he said.
According to police sources, they already had the intelligence input that four to five members of the separatist leadership may be targeted.
Qureshi, who is one of the pro-dialogue leaders in Hurriyat (M), was immediately shifted to SKIMS where he was operated upon by a team of doctors. The doctors, however, could not say with certainty what caused the injury.
A team of three doctors including two neurosurgeons and anesthetist operated Qureshi along with other associates including the elder daughter of the separatist leader, who is also a medico. Debridement surgery has been performed and he is on ventilator now. However, everything will depend on his behavior after surgery. The picture is not gloomy but we cannot say anything with confidence yet. We have to wait at least for next six hours, Medical Superintendent SKIMS Dr. Syed Amin Tabish told Rising Kashmir.
About the nature of injury Dr. Tabish said, We have not found any bullet in the head. It may be a blunt injury as well.
The 66-year old Hurriyat (M) leader is among the few members in the moderate faction, who are in favor of the dialogue process. He along with Bilal Lone was recently assigned to get separatist leadership outside the ambit of Hurriyat (M) on board for a fresh dialogue with New Delhi.
Immediately after the incident, Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Muhammad Umer Farooq, executive members Prof Abdul Gani Bhat and Bilal Gani Lone and senior member Nayeem Khan visited the hospital. They were camping in SKIMS.
Qureshi was behind the first ever peace talks between Hizbul Mujahideen and Government of India in 2000.
He was also part of Al-Fateh movement in 1960s and has spent some time in jail with Maqbool Bhat.
Meanwhile, Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has called for complete shutdown on December 5 (Saturday).
Kashmir bandh will be observed on Saturday against the heinous act. It is done by those who dont want Kashmir issue to get resolved peacefully, said Mirwaiz.
Hurriyat (G) spokesperson Ayaz Akbar while condemning the act said, It is a worst form of terrorism. It is a conspiracy to create differences amongst the people and divide the society. A society that cannot bear difference of opinion cannot be called a human society. Human life is precious.
While strongly condemning the incident JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik said, Whosever did it could not be the part of human society. It is inhuman brutal act. Qureshi is part of the resistance movement from four decades. He has great contribution in this struggle.
Malik also visited SKIMS late in evening to inquire about the health of Qureshi.
Hurriyat (M) leaders Salim Geelani, Shadidul Islam, Muhammad Yousuf Naqash, Manan Bukhari and others have condemned the attack.
Meanwhile, several separatist and pro-Indian political parties have condemned the act.
In a tele-statement to a local news agency KNS, a militant group, Al Nasreen has claimed the responsibility of the attack.
Qureshi was playing important role in dialogue process, said spokesperson of Alnasereen Sheikh Abdul Waheed
