Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Dec 2: In a major strike in the Central Kashmir district of Budgam, that over the years had been relatively peaceful, militants this afternoon killed a police officer and injured three others including two policemen while three Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants have been trapped in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district in a security force cordon.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), A G Mir, told reporters on the sidelines of the wreath laying ceremony of the police officer in District Police Lines (DPL) Srinagar that a militant fired indiscriminately from his AK-47 rifle on Station House Officer (SHO), Police Station Chadoora, Shabir Ahmad who was sitting at a shop in Chadoora market.
The IGP said that the shopkeeper, Ghulam Mohammad, was also injured in the attack and militant also fired at two police men -constable Mohammad Shafi and SPO Firdous Ahmad – injuring them critically.
Mir said that it was a busy market place and police didn’t retaliate to avoid the collateral damage. He said that the attack was carried out by Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and police have got certain leads on which they are working.
The IGP said that the attack in Budgam took place after long time and police were getting information from that area about militant and few Over Ground Workers (OGWs) were arrested from the area in the past.
The attack created panic in the town and senior police, Army officers immediately rushed to the spot and the Bus Station Chadoora was cordoned off. Police and security personnel launched massive man hunt to nab the militants responsible for the attack.
SHO Shabir Ahmad son of Jaffer Shah belonged to Saidpora Uri and was transferred recently to the Police Station Chadoora from Police Chowk Soibugh. He has left behind his father, wife and five children.
A militant outfit Al-Nasereen has claimed the responsibility of the attack. The spokesman of the outfit, Sami-ul-Haq, in a statement told a local news agency here said that militants of the outfit carried out the attack in which SHO was killed.
A wreath laying ceremony held at DPL Srinagar this evening was attended by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Shalinder Kumar, Inspector General of Police Kashmir A G Mir, IG CRPF operations Nalin Prabhat, IGP CRPF Yogender Koul, IG CRPF P K Singh, IGP Armed T Phunsung, DIG CRPF H S Rawat, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Farooq Ahmad Shah, SSP Srinagar SAH Bukhari, SP Budgam Mohammad Irshad and many officers of different wings of Police, Civil, security forces officers and jurisdictional SP’s and SDPO’s of Srinagar police.
And a fierce gun battle is going on in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district after security forces trapped 3 militants in a village this afternoon.
The IGP Mir said that gun battle raged between militants and security forces in village Shatipora in Rajwar area of Handwara.
Mir said that on a tip off, Handwara police and security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Shatipora in Rajwar area of Handwara. “Militants fired upon the joint forces triggering an encounter. The encounter was going on till the reports last came in”, he said.
Sources said that security forces had information about the presence of six militants in the village when they cordoned it off this afternoon. “We had information about the presence of LeT chief for North Kashmir, Wali Bhia among the six militants present inside the village. We are not sure whether he has left before the operation or not as only three have been trapped”, sources said.
Sources said that gun battle is going on and SOG Handwara, 21 RR and 30 RR are conducting the operation while 6 RR of Army is in the outer cordon to prevent militants from fleeing the area.
In the meantime, panic gripped Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) Srinagar this afternoon after an accidental fire from a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan resulting in the injury of a police man.
Police sources said that a constable of Ghulam Nabi was hit in the leg and he was removed to hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has condemned the killing of SHO Chadoora describing it a heinous crime by cowardice elements.
In his condolence message, the Chief Minister highlighted the bravery of police personnel who sacrificed his life to protect and safeguard the lives of people.
He conveyed his sympathies and condolence to the bereaved family and the Police Department and prayed for peace to the departed soul. He also prayed for early recovery of the injured.
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