Suspected militants shot dead two persons, one of the Central Reserve Police Force, and the other of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, in separate attacks, in Shopian and Anantnag districts of South Kashmir on Monday.
Deputy Inspector General of Police for South Kashmir Vijay Kumar told The Hindu that some unidentified militants fired upon two CRPF personnel in a vehicle at 6.30 p.m. at Awneera village, in Shopian district, 55 kms from here.
The unarmed driver died on the spot and an armed constable sustained injuries. He was evacuated and rushed to a hospital for treatment. Sources said that the targeted personnel were part of ruling National Conference leader and Member of the Legislative Council [MLC] Shaukat Hussain Ganai’s escort. Mr. Hussain had gone to attend a wedding at the house of Abbas Ahmad Bhat and his escorts were waiting in a vehicle parked outside when they were attacked.
The shootout caused a stampede but sources said that all the guests, including Mr. Ganai, were safe.
The DIG also said that earlier on Monday, suspected militants fired pistol shots in point blank range at constable Salamat Khan of the Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police, 14th battalion, who was on duty at Arwani, in Anantnag district, at 1.00 p.m. Mr. Kumar claimed that the police identified the gunmen who had shot dead eminent cardiologist Dr Sheikh Jalal-ud-din near his residence at Pampore on July 18. “Both are cadres of Lashkar-e-Taiba,” he said.