Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, May 6: Four persons including two civilians, a militant and a cop were killed in a militant attack in Kulgam district of South Kashmir tonight.
Militants, travelling in a car, opened fire on a police party which had gone to Mir Bazaar area to investigate a road accident. Police also retaliated killing one of militants and injuring another who has, however, escaped.
A police officer said that four bodies were found at the spot, two of them are civilians and one police man and a militant.
A grenade and ammunition rounds were recovered during frisking of one of the dead persons who is a militant. An Identity card bearing name as Saqib Gania of Qoimoh was recovered from the militant. Police is trying to ascertain his identity.
One militant is believed to have been injured in the retaliatory firing and a pistol was also recovered from the spot. Police and security forces are following the blood trail and a massive operation has been launched against the militants who carried out the attack.
The dead cop has been identified as Mehmood Ahmad, a follower in police who was posted at local Police Post. An SPO Raqeeb Ahmad who was injured in the attack has been shifted to Srinagar for treatment.
Reports said that there was collision between a tractor and a traller on the National Highway in Mir Bazaar area of Kulgam in which the tractor driver, Imtiaz Ahmad, was killed.
A police party from the local Police Post had gone to the spot to investigate the incident and clear the traffic jam on the highway. As the police party was clearing the traffic militants attacked them.
A police officer said that the militants came in a car and attacked the Police Party and they retaliated leading to the killing of four persons.
South Kashmir has seen spurt in militant attacks during last few months. Early this week, 5 cops and 2 bank officials were killed when militants ambushed a Jammu and Kashmir Bank Cash Van that was returning after delivering cash. Militants had also looted weapons from police and cash from various banks in South Kashmir.
Three political workers including District President of People’s Democratic Party were also killed by militants last month.
Security forces have launched a massive manhunt in South Kashmir especially in Shopian district against the militants who are carrying out these attacks.
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