Three policemen were killed in twin shootouts in Srinagar, considered the Valley’s zero-militancy district, on Monday. In the first attack, militants struck in the old city’s Zadibal area, just metres away from a local police station, and fired from close range at two police personnel on duty.
“The attackers were riding a two-wheeler. Three bullets were fired at one cop and two at another. One policeman was hit in the head and another in the neck. The assailants sped away into the city,” sub-divisional police officer, Hazratbal, Syed Sajjad Bukhar told The Hindu.
Assistant sub-inspector Nazeer Ahmad and constable Basheer Ahmad were declared brought dead at a nearby hospital. Around noon, two militants, again riding a bike, emerged on the Srinagar-Baramulla Highway near Tengpora, 13 km from the first spot, and shot dead another policeman, Muhammad Abdullah, personal security officer of local politician Muhammad Abdullah Chatwal.
“In both the incidents, pistols were used. The ammunition seems the same. However, it is yet to be determined if the same two were involved,” said SDPO Bukhari.
Police sources said there had been alerts of militants’ presence in and around Srinagar city. However, there was no specific input on the targets, they added. Around 100 militants are suspected to be active in the Valley, with major concentration in north and south Kashmir.
A security alert was sounded after the twin attacks, with checkpoints and random frisking carried out on major roads leading to the city centre Lal Chowk.
The attacks come just two days ahead of the first Assembly session being held in Srinagar. Militant outfit Hizbul Mujhadeen spokesman Burhanuddin, while claiming responsibility, said: “The militants have also decamped with the rifle of a slain cop. Operation Field Commander of the Hizbul Mujhadeen has been directed to intensify attacks on [the police’s] Special Operations Group.”
The Hizb spokesman, quoted by a local news agency CNS, threatened that “the attacks on the security establishments will continue.”
Inhuman: Mehbooba
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, while expressing shock over the killings, said: “Such dastardly acts are against the basic tenets of humanity and should be condemned. I hope that the perpetrators will be brought to book soon.” She said these were attempts by vested interests to derail the peace and reconciliation process started by the State government. “Such attacks will also impact the economy at a time when tourism had started picking up in the State,” she added.
Worrying, says Omar
National Conference working president Omar Abdullah described the attacks as “a worrying development.”
