The Hindu : National : Two killed in J&K shootout

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Friday, Jul 22, 2005

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Two killed in J&K shootout

Shujaat Bukhari

Policeman opens fire after altercation

SRINAGAR: A police officer and a civilian were killed and another senior officer was seriously wounded in an early morning shootout in Srinagar on Thursday.

A policeman allegedly involved in the "mysterious" firing has been arrested and is being questioned.

Sources said Rajbir Singh, head constable of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, fired at Deputy Superintendent Ghulam Jeelani in front of the Dashmani Akhara building, from where the holy mace was scheduled to leave for Pahalgam as part of the Amarnath pilgrimage.

The policeman reportedly had an altercation with his senior and opened fire. Border Security Force personnel posted in the area thought that it was a suicide attack by militants and began shooting.

G.N. Parray, Maisuma station house officer, and the driver of a bus carrying sadhus to Pahalgam were killed. The DSP is battling for his life in hospital.

"Investigations are on and we are looking into all aspects of the incident. It was an accidental firing but only the investigations will reveal the truth," Sub-Divisional Police Officer Kothibagh Haseeb Mughal told The Hindu .

Tight security

Meanwhile, the Charri Mubarak (holy mace) left for Pahalgam amid tight security after a Bhumi Poojan was performed by 45 sadhus. The mace was taken to the Sankaracharya temple in Srinagar and later to the Mattan temple.

The number of pilgrims who visited the Siva cave at Amarnath has crossed the 2.2-lakh mark. On Thursday, 3,000 more pilgrims left for Pahalgam, base camp for the pilgrimage.

The pilgrimage was smooth along both routes, Pahalgam and Baltal. Food and accommodation were being made available to the pilgrims round-the-clock. Over 7,000 pilgrims were visiting the shrine daily.

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