Kashmiri militants affiliated to Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist group killed four policemen when the militants attacked a guard post outside a minority pocket in south Kashmir’s restive Shopian district, officials said.
Why Shopian Has Become the Hotbed for Encounters and Graveyard For Militants?
The attack took place this afternoon when four policemen were sitting in a pre-fabricated room outside the pocket that houses six Kashmiri Pandit families.
A senior police official said that six Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists were led by former Special Police Officer Adil Bashir, who deserted in October and decamped eight weapons from a PDP legislator.
Quoting eyewitnesses, the police officer said that militants fired indiscriminately, killing three policemen on the spot and critically injuring one who later succumbed. The slain cops were identified as Constable Anees Ahmad (Belt No. 480/SPN), resident of Kulgam, selection grade constable Abdul Majid (193/SPN), resident of Ganderbal, Constable Mehraj-ud-din (477/SPN), resident of Hajin Bandipora and constable Hameedullah (860/SPN), resident of Anantnag.
At the time of the incident, only one family was present there. Immediately after the shootout, the terrorists fled with three Self Loading Rifles (SLRs) of the policemen, the official said, adding a cordon and search operation has been launched to nab the criminals.
The official said that an intercept had been received in which it was clear that Jaish-e-Mohammed, a banned terrorist organisation, was behind the barbaric act.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Tuesday condemned the killing of policemen in a militant attack in southern Shopian district.
While deploring the killings, Omar said: “We have lost three of our brave cops while delivering their duties. I pay my heartfelt tributes to the three policemen and pray for the speedy recovery of those who are injured,” he said.
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