J&K prisons DGP found dead with throat slit, terror group PAFF claims responsibility

Jammu and Kashmir , Oct 4 :Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Indian offshoot, the People’s Anti-Fascist Force (PAFF), has claimed responsibility for the killing of Jammu and Kashmir DGP (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.

Here are the top developments in the matter:

In a press release, terror outfit PAFF said, “Our special squad carried out an intelligence based operation in Udaiwala, Jammu, eliminating DG of police, prisons department HK Lohia, a high value target.”

The PAFF has claimed all recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, including attacks on non-locals. Threatening to carry out more such high-profile operations, the terror group warned that it can “strike anytime and anywhere with precision”.

“This is a small gift to their visiting Home Minister amid such a security grid,” the PAFF said, referring to Amit Shah who is on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

A 1992 batch IPS officer, Hemant Kumar Lohia was found dead with his throat slit at his Udaiwala residence on the outskirts of Jammu. He was posted as the DGP prisons in August. Burn injuries were also found on his body.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Jammu zone, Mukesh Singh, said prima facie this is a suspected murder case. The ADGP said Lohia’s domestic, Yasir, is absconding and a search for him has started. Yasir belongs to Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said preliminary examination of the crime scene indicated that the killer had first suffocated Lohia to death and also used a broken ketchup bottle to slit his throat. He later attempted to set ablaze the body of 57-year-old Lohia.

Police have recovered CCTV footage collected from the crime scene, which allegedly shows the suspect Yasir running away after the murder took place.

He was working in the house for nearly six months. Initial investigation has revealed that he was quite aggressive in his behaviour and was also under depression, sources said.

So far, sources said no terror act is apparent. A thorough probe is underway to rule out any possibility. The weapon of offence has been seized, along with some documentary evidence reflecting the suspect’s mental state.

-The India Today