SRINAGAR: Two days after launching multiple attacks on security forces in south Kashmir, militants on Thursday shot dead a policeman in volatile Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir.
A police official said militants fired from point blank range towards a policeman identified as constable Shabir Ahmad Dar outside his home at Bogund area in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district this afternoon.
The policeman sustained multiple bullet injuries and was evacuated to nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
The deceased was survived by his and 13 months old son.
After the incident, police and paramilitary personnel laid siege around the area to nab the attackers. However, no arrests were reported during the operation.
The militant attack took place two days after militants launched five attacks on police and CRPF men in south Kashmir on Tuesday injuring 12 security personnel and snatching four rifles from policemen.
J&K Police Chief S P Vaid blamed Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad for the attacks.
Their claim was corroborated by militant outfit Al-Umar Mujahideen chief, Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar, who along with Jaish chief Masood Azhar was released in exchange of IA passengers in 1999. He called a local newsgathering agency in Srinagar and claimed that the attacks were carried out jointly by Al-Umar and Jaish-e-Mohammad.
Hizbul Mujahideen, which is dominant in south Kashmir, had also claimed responsibility for the attacks.
According to security agencies, over 120 militants are active in four districts of south Kashmir – Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian – and the majority of the militants are locals and belong to Hizbul Mujahideen.
The south Kashmir comprising four districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam is emerging as stronghold of militants.
South Kashmir was also the epicenter of over five month long unrest in the Valley last year following killing of Hizb commander Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016.
Pak troops breach border ceasefire
Defence spokesman in Jammu Lt Col Manish Mehta said Pakistani troops resorted to indiscriminate firing from small arms and automatic weapons on army positions and civilian areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Naushera sector in Rajouri districts from 2 pm.
He said Army men strongly and effectively retaliated and the firing between the two sides continued till 3.30 pm.
Mehta said Pakistan army against breached border ceasefire at 5.30 pm by firing on army posts and civilian areas in Naushera sector.
He said the army men are effectively returning the fire and the exchange of heavy gunfire and mortar shells was going on when reports last poured in.