Two constables of the Jammu and Kashmir Police got killed in Kashmir valley's first militant strike on a mainstream political leader since the Lok Sabha elections were announced on March 5, even as the National Conference activist Yawar Masoodi survived the attempt on his life at Khrew, in Pampore area of Pulwama district, and both the assailants were later killed in a gunfight.
Deputy Inspector General of Police in South Kashmir Vijay Kumar told The Hindu that two unidentified militants launched the broad daylight attack at 32-year-old Mr. Masoodi's protected residence at Khrew, 20 km from Srinagar, at 2.20 p.m.
Mr Masoodi, who was inside the premises, remained unharmed but his police guards Vinod Kumar and Abdul Hamid were killed. The militants snatched away their service weapons — one AK-47 rifle and one pistol — and escaped.
Mr Masoodi is a leader of the NC's youth wing. He is the son of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court judge Hassnain Masoodi and stays with him.
The DIG said that Special Operations Group of Awantipore District Police and Army launched a cordon-and-search operation at the neighbouring Andrusa village after they spotted the assailants moving in an open area.
"We have just eliminated both the militants and also recovered the AK-47 rifle they had snatched away from a slain constable at Khrew. We are searching fir the pistol", Mr Kumar said. He said that Mr Masoodi, who was the target of the armed intruder, escaped from the rear exit of his home and was safe. He said that one militant stayed outside and another took out his AK rifle and attacked the guards when they began his physical frisking.
