Imam shot at in Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 20 (UNI) Unidentified gunmen shot at and critically wounded an Imam (Muslim priest) in a posh locality of the city early this morning, police said.

They said Mohammad Altaf Shah, a resident of Sopore in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, was shot at from point blank at the time of 'Sehri' (food taken at dawn during Ramzan) in posh Raj Bagh area.

Shah was the priest of Usmania mosque at Pathan Bagh near the Modern Hospital in the area.

Police said he was sleeping in the mosque when gunmen barged inside and shot at him.

He was rushed to the Sri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital here where his condition was stated to be critical.

Doctors attending on him said his liver has been damaged by the bullets. He has been operated upon and would be under strict observation for the next 24 hours, they added.

The incident sparked off massive protests by locals. They alleged that the 'Imam' was shot at by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel.

Police have registered a case and started investigations.

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