A dry fruit seller from south Kashmir who set himself on fire after being taken in for questioning by the police has died of his injuries, officials said on Monday.
Bilal Ahmad Wani had attempted self-immolation on Sunday in Qazigund. He was first taken to a hospital in Anantnag, but as his condition became critical, doctors referred him to SMHS Hospital in Srinagar late in the evening. Officials told PTI that Wani died shortly after midnight.
Wani and his son, Jasir Bilal, had been picked up by the police for questioning in connection with the ongoing investigation into a “terror module”. According to officials, Wani was later released, but his son is still in custody.
People familiar with the case said Wani lived next door to Dr. Muzaffar Rather, who has become a central figure in what investigators are calling a “white-collar terror module.” Muzaffar is believed to be in Afghanistan, while his younger brother, Dr. Adeel Rather, was arrested in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on November 6.
