Irfan Shah, a resident of Kupwara in north Kashmir, is a troubled soul these days as, according to him, his photo has been used to depict a dreaded terrorist.
A shopkeeper in Bomhama area, Shah claims that his photo has been used on a police poster of Kupwara's most wanted militant Abdul Qayoom Najar, who is believed to be behind a spate of recent attacks in Sopore which left six people dead and that he fears for his life now.
"I was surprised to see in posters my picture, which was taken by me during a trip to a park in Baramulla last year. The picture in police posters has been cut out from this picture in which I had posed with a cousin. The arm of my cousin is visible in the poster used by the police. The original picture was edited to pass me off as the wanted militant," Shah said.
Last week, police had put up posters in the Kupwara township and adjoining areas announcing a reward of Rs 10 lakh each for two militants, Najar and Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo, allegedly involved in the killings in Sopore, 52 kms from here.
"Police claims that I am a lookalike of the wanted militant, but actually my photo has been edited and pasted in the poster which has put my life at risk," Shah said.
Fearing his safety, he approached Superintendent of Police, Kupwara. "The SP has issued a certificate to me and told me not to worry, but still I am afraid," he claimed.
Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani said police was investigating the matter. "We have taken cognizance of the complaint and are looking into it," he said.
The militants, Najar and Kandoo, are believed to have defied the command of Hizbul Mujahideen supremo Syed Salahuddin and have been operating under the shadow name of Lashkar-e-Islam outfit.
