J&K DG HK Lohia’s throat slit and killed by domestic help, terrorist organization claim responsibility
Killed at his official residence, Lashkar's outfit says 'this is just beginning' in a letter.
Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Indian offshoot, the People’s Anti-Fascist Force (PAFF), has claimed responsibility for the killing of Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (Prisons Department) Hemant Kumar Lohia.
Lohia, 57, was found dead at his home on the outskirts of Jammu on Monday, October 3. Police said his throat was slit and burn injuries were present on his body.
Police said Lohia’s domestic help, identified as Yasir, is suspected as the main culprit. A manhunt has been launched for the suspect. Police sources said CCTV footage recovered from the crime scene shows the suspect running away shortly after the murder.
The TRF statement came hours after the police ruled out the terror angle adding that the weapon of the offence had been seized besides some documentary evidence reflecting his mental state.
A preliminary examination of the crime scene indicated that Lohia must have been applying some oil on his foot which showed swelling.
The killer suffocated Lohia to death and also used a broken ketchup bottle to slit his throat and later tried to set the body afire, he said.
The guards present at the residence of the officer saw the fire inside his room. They had to break open the door as it was locked from inside, the ADGP said.
Launched in 2019, The Resistance Front (TRF) is a terror organisation, primarily operating in Jammu and Kashmir. The terror outfit came to the fore soon after the Narendra Modi government revoked Article 370, which gave Kashmir a special status. The Centre hailed it as a robust action to end terrorism in the valley and bring normalcy to the long-disputed territory.
