Cellphone helps solve double murder mystery in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jun 4 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir police today claimed to solved a double murder case by arresting four people with the help of a mobile phone.

According to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, police had recovered two bodies bundled in two gunny bags from Kursoo Bund in posh Raj Bagh area of the city on April 16 this year.

The deceased were identified as Abdul Aziz Mir, a resident of Muran Tangwari, Chandoosa in Baramulla district, and Mushtaq Ahmad Chopan from Quilmuqam in Bandipora district.

He said preliminary investigations revealed that Mir was running a small stationery shop at Boniyar in border area of Uri. Chopan had failed poultry business and used to move across the Kashmir valley, particularly Kupwara area, to collect money from retailers.

During one of these business trips, the SSP said Chopan met Zahid Hussain Mir alias Bitta, a resident of Darpora in Lolab area of Kupwara district. Bitta lured Chopan into some transaction, whereby he was promised a one million Euro note and a mysterious crystal of great value, he added.

Chopan discussed the matter with his acquaintance Mir and both of them agreed to explore the business transaction.

In the meantime, Bitta entered into a criminal conspiracy with Bashir Ahmad Mir from Darpora Lolab, Nazir Ahmad Thoker and his brother Manzoor Ahmad Thoker, both residents of Halpora, Wailoo in Anantnag district. The three posed as businessmen in possession of the Euro note and the crystal, the SSP added.

He said it was decided that Rs 10 lakh would be paid as advance by unsuspecting Mir and Chopan. On April 14, Bitta summoned the victims to Raj Bagh where other accused, working as servants and labourers in a Joinery Mill, were also present.

The SSP said the accused drugged the food meant for Mir and Chopan with some medicine due to which they fell unconscious. The accused then strangulated and killed the two in cold blood.

However, the killers found only Rs 1800 on the body of Mir instead of Rs 10 lakh. The money was looted and the bodies bundled in a Maruti van and thrown at Kursoo Bund, the SSP added.

He said the murderers also destroyed the belongings, including a cell phone, of the victims. Police later traced the calls made from the mobile phone and zeroed in on the four accused, who after sustained questioning admitted to the crime, the SSP said.

UNI