STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: A policeman was killed on Wednesday as militants struck at the security guards of a former MLA in Pulwama district, about 35 kms from here, two days after three cops were gunned down in twin attacks in capital Srinagar. In a separate incident, a young man was killed by ultras in Kupwara.
The incident took place in Monghama village where the former National Conference MLA Ghulam Mohiuddin had gone to attend a marriage function, police said.
His Personal Security Officer (PSO) Shabir Ahmad and another guard were waiting in a private car outside the venue when three pistol-borne militants struck, a police officer said.
The militants tried to snatch the service rifle from the PSO which led to a scuffle, the officer said, adding in the process, Ahmad received minor injuries on the face.
Militants then fired a few shots, resulting in injuries to constable Riyaz Ahmad Ganie. He was hit in the throat and succumbed to his injuries later at a hospital, the officer said.
The militants fled from the site along with the weapon of the PSO taking advantage of the panic which followed the shooting, he said.
A hunt has been launched to nab the militants and recover the weapon, the officer said.
No militant outfit has so far claimed responsibility for the incident which comes two days after three policemen were shot dead in twin attacks in capital Srinagar.
While two policemen were killed by militants in an attack at Zadibal locality of the summer capital on Monday, another policeman, who was guarding a protected person, was shot dead at Tengpora locality of the city the same day and his service rifle was also snatched.
Meanwhile, a 28-year-old youth was shot dead by suspected militants in Kupwara district of north Kashmir, police said.
Bullet-riddled body of Liyaqat Joo was recovered from the forest area of Wadder Payeen in Handwara, 85 kms from here, a police officer said. Joo who is a resident of Wadder Payeen, was suspected to have been killed by militants, the officer said.
Police has registered a case and started investigations, the officer said adding a hunt has been launched to nab the culprits behind his murder.
Meanwhile, the officer said a huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered from the possession of the two militants who were shot dead in a brief gunbattle at Sarai Bala locality in the heart of Srinagar on late Monday evening.
The recoveries included two AK assault rifles, four magazines, 86 rounds, a pistol with a magazine and two rounds, three hand grenades, a grenade thrower and a pouch, he said.
The two militants including Jaish-e-Mohammad commander Saifullah were killed by police during a raid at Sarai Bala on Monday, sparking protests by locals who contested the police version and claimed that the duo were killed in a “fake encounter”.
Shops and business establishments in the area and adjoining business centres including Maharaj Bazar, Hari Singh High Street and Gonikhan remained closed for the second day today to protest the killings. Condemning the dastardly killing of a policeman in Pulwama, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti expressed profound grief over the inhumane killing.
“It is highly unfortunate and heartrending that we continue to lose precious lives to senseless violence which has only aggravated the sufferings of the people over the years,” the Chief Minister said adding that the attackers have no respect for human lives and are only adding to the tragedies of the ill-fated families.
“Till now, we have had enough of killings and bloodshed in the state and what did we achieve nothing but tragedies,” she said.
In her message to the bereaved family of the deceased Constable Riyaz Ahmad and the Police Department, the Chief Minister expressed solidarity with them and prayed for peace to the departed soul. The Chief Minister said that the incidents of violence that have taken place over the past couple of days seem to be a desperate attempt by the elements inimical to peace to subvert the rejuvenating economic activity in the State, which had started witnessing a revival after a long time of lassitude. The Chief Minister sought people’s cooperation in stabilizing the peace efforts so that the elements inimical to peace can be isolated.
