Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Dec 11: Four policemen were killed and their rifles snatched in a militant attack at a Police Post in Zainapora area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district today.
A group of militants opened fire at the Police Post, resulting into on spot death of three security guards and injuries to another at Zainapora.
The injured cop was taken to a local hospital where from he was referred to a hospital in Srinagar. However, he succumbed on way to Srinagar. Click here to watch video
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.
The militants after carrying out the attack decamped with four service rifles from the policemen. The cops were guarding the minority community in the area when they were attacked.
Soon after the attack, army and SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a massive hunt to nab the militants behind the attack.
In the meantime, the house owner where seven civilians died in a blast after three militants were killed during a gunfight in October this year, was found dead this morning after he was abducted last month.
Sheeraz Ahmad Bhat was abducted by gunmen nearly a week after the blast and the gunfight from his Lanoo village on October 27.
The body bearing torture marks was buried in an orchard in Awahatoo village and was recovered by the police. The information was collected during the investigation of the case and on the disclosure made by few persons arrested during the course of the investigation revealed about his killing and burial.
Governor Satya Pal Malik expressed grief over the loss of lives of policemen who were killed in the attack on a Police Post at Zainapora in Shopian.
In a message, the Governor has prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls and conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families.
Former Chief Minister and NC vice president, Omar Abdullah also condoled the death of cops and prayed for their souls.”I strongly condemn the attack on the police post in Shopian and condole the deaths of three @JmuKmrPolice personnel in the line of duty. I pray for their souls & for the speedy recovery of those injured in this attack,” Omar tweeted.
Condemning the killing of cops, former Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti expressed solidarity with the families of slain cops. “Strongly condemn attack on policemen in Shopian claiming 3 precious lives. Bears repetition, violence achieves nothing but destruction. Solidarity with families of jawans. Relieved that no harm caused to any civilians in the minority pocket they guarded,” she tweeted.
Peoples Conference (PC) Chairman, Sajad Gani Lone termed the attack on policemen as another mindless act of violence. “The attack in Shopian on police personnel is yet another mindless act of violence. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the policemen who laid down their lives in the line of duty,” Lone said.
Munir Ahmed Khan, ADGP, IGP Kashmir SP Pani, DIG SKR Amit Kumar paid floral tributes to the cops who were killed.
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