Pak can’t tolerate peace in Kashmir: DGP
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 14: As Kashmir is on high alert ahead of Independence Day, militants attacked a police party at Nowgam area of Srinagar martyring two cops and critically wounding another.
Militants fired indiscriminately on a police party at Nowgam area of Srinagar leaving three cops critically wounded. All three injured were shifted to SMSH hospital. However, two of the injured succumbed on the way. The third one is being treated at the hospital whose condition is stated as critical. Click here to watch video
The two martyred cops have been identified as Ishfaq Ayoub and Fayaz Ahmed while injured has been identified as Muhammad Ashraf.
IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that Jaish-e-Mohammad carried out the attack. He said that the militants launched out the attack when security was tight here ahead of Independence day. “We had inputs that militants may carry out attack and were alert. They came through a narrow lane and fired at cops indiscriminately”, he added.
“We have cordoned off the area and are conducting searches. We have identified the militants. They are from Jaish-e-Mohammad militant outfit and we will neutralize them soon”, he added.
Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh said that preliminary investigations have revealed that Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit has carried out the Nowgam attack.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of wreath laying ceremony of martyred policemen at Humhama, the DGP Singh said that initial investigations have revealed that JeM is behind the attack. “Police and other agencies are busy identifying the attackers and we will act against them soon,” he said.
The DGP said that police was busy with the extended deployment in Srinagar and city outskirts in view of the Independence Day. “Unfortunately, militants found a chance to attack a joint party of SSB and police at Nowgam in which two policemen were killed and another one injured, who is being treated at the hospital,” he said.
He said that militants always try to target police and security forces and at times they succeed. “Such attacks are carried when situation shows improvement in Kashmir. Our neighbour (Pakistan) can’t tolerate peace prevailing in the Valley and keeps trying to carry out acts like the one today, to disrupt peaceful atmosphere. But our efforts to strengthen the peace will continue,” he said.
Singh said that anti-militancy operations will be intensified in the days ahead. “While paying tributes to the martyred cops, he said the duo were deployed to ensure smooth conduct of tomorrow’s function. At times, we have to bear such incidents,” he added.
The DGP said security across Kashmir and Srinagar will be further strengthened. “We will use drones and CCTV fitted vehicles besides physical deployment of our men,” he said.
Meanwhile, Awantipora police today arrested two Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of militants in Tral area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Police identified them as Reyaz Ahmad Bhat resident of Amirabad Tral and Mohd Umer Tantray resident of Aripal Tral and said that they were arrested in Tral area by Awantipora Police along with 42 RR and 180 Bn CRPF.
They said both these associates have been involved in providing shelter, logistics and other support to the JeM militants as well as in transporting of arms/ ammunition of the militants in Tral and Awantipora areas.
“Incriminating material including explosive material has been recovered from them in Tral area. Moreover, case FIR number 72/2020 stands registered against the said arrested militant associates in Police Station Tral under relevant Sections of law,” he added.
In the meantime, Police and Army today recovered huge amount of arms and ammunition in North Kashmir’s Uri area of Baramulla district.
Police said that based on specific inputs about presence of weapon and ammunition at Dogi Pahad area of Uri, combined search operation was launched jointly on August 11 which lasted three days.
“On August 13, a huge cache of arms and ammunition including 3 pistols with magazine and ammunition, 73 AK rounds, 2 detonators, 15 grenades, besides Pakistan currency were recovered from Trenarian Nallah in Lachipora area of Uri,” police said.
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