Srinagar, Nov 17: A dry fruit seller who set himself on fire after being picked up by police for questioning in connection with a terror module case has succumbed to his injuries at a Srinagar hospital, officials said on Monday.
Bilal Ahmad Wani, a resident of Qazigund, reportedly set himself ablaze on Sunday. Initially treated at a hospital in Anantnag, he was later shifted to SMHS Hospital in Srinagar after his condition deteriorated. Officials said Wani died of severe burn injuries shortly after midnight.
Wani and his son, Jasir Bilal, had been detained for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation into a suspected terror module. While Wani was released later, his son remains in custody, officials added.
He was a neighbour of Dr Muzaffar Rather, identified by authorities as a key accused in what is being described as 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.