Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 19: Militants today martyred Personal Security Officer (PSO) of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Sajad Mufti, during Friday prayers in Baba Mohalla, Bijbehara in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district and snatched his service rifle.
Mufti is cousin of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and lives in the ancestral house of Muftis in Baba Mohalla Bijbehara in Anantnag district.
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Militants fired upon a cop Farooq Ahmad Mir, who was the PSO of Sajad Mufti in chest as he was waiting outside the mosque where PDP leader had gone for performing Friday prayers.
Sources said that two militants fired upon Mir from point blank range with a pistol leaving him in a pool of blood and they also snatched his service AK-47 rifle. He was immediately shifted to Sub District Hospital Bijbehara where doctors declared him as brought dead.
The incident happened outside the residence of Mufti and near the police bunker guarding his residence. The incident led to panic in the area and prayers were cut short by the cleric of the mosque.
Soon after the incident the whole area was cordoned off to nab the militants responsible for the killing of the cop. Senior police officers also reached the spot to assess the situation and they questioned the security guards posted in the bunker.
Senior police officers including Inspector General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, S P Pani attended the wreath laying ceremony of Mir, a resident of Khiram, in Anantnag district. His body was later handed over to his relatives for last rites.
The cops from the SOG this evening fired in air after noticing suspicious movement near an orchard at Aamnoo area of Qazigund in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
The SOG party had gone to petrol filling station at Aamnoo and they noticed suspicious movement of militants in the orchard adjacent to the filling station. They fired several rounds in air and reinforcements of Army’s 9 RR and police reached the spot and launched the searches in the area. However, no militants were found in the area.
Security forces this morning cordoned off Seer Hamdan in Aishmuqam area of Anantnag district after inputs about presence of militants in the area.
The operation continued till 11.30 am during which house to house searches were conducted by the security forces. However, the operation was called off after no militants were found in the village.
Security forces also suspended internet services in South Kashmir for the day but restored them in the evening.
Meanwhile, Congress and CPI (M) have condemned the killing of police cop in Bijbehara area.
Pradesh Congress Committee has condemned the attack on JKP cop Farooq Ahmad Dar, leading to his martyrdom. The party described the incident as mindless and shameful act on the part of killers.
In a statement, the JKPCC spokesperson has expressed anguish over the killing of Dar and strongly condemned the shameful act of killing.
CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has also condemned the killing of PDP leader Sajad Mufti’s PSO Farooq Ahmad and termed the incident as unfortunate. He said violence in any form and manifestation is condemnable.
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