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A Deputy Superintendent of Police was stoned to death by an irate mob after he allegedly opened fire at a group of people outside Jamia Masjid, Srinagar in the early hours today.

The police officer has been identified as Mohammad Ayub Pandit, deputy superintendent in Security wing of police. He was on duty when the mob attacked him, a police spokesman said.

DGP S P Vaid termed the killing as sad and unfortunate.Another report said the irate mob of people caught him clicking pictures near Jamia Masjid in early hours today.

A Police statement said he was attacked and beaten to death by a mob at Nowhatta last night.Reports said the group of people caught hold the DySP in civvies outside Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta and thrashed him. Reports said the mob around him snatched his pistol and beat the police officer to death. The incident happened when Shab-e-Qadr prayers were under way in the historic mosque.

Authorities have already announced restrictions on movement of people in areas falling under the jurisdiction of seven police stations of the city as a precautionary measure. The restrictions were announced to maintain law and order as separatists had called for protests after Friday prayers against killing of a civilian in forces’ action on protesters in Kakapora area of Pulwama district yesterday.

Meanwhile, chief minister Mehbooba Mufti while paying tributes to the police officer said “the crime of lynching is actually a murder of trust as the officer had allowed his guards to go home”. She said J&K police is one of the finest forces in the country who exercise maximum restraint while dealing with law and order situation.