SRINAGAR: Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday spoke to the family members of policeman Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, who was killed in a militant attack in south Kashmir's Anantnag on Wednesday, and assured them of all possible support from the Central Government.
"Home Minister Amit Shah talked to Absar Qureshi, son of the deceased policeman Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, on phone today," senior J&K BJP leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma said.
Sharma, along with other BJP leaders, visited the residence of the slain policeman at Lalpora in the Beerwah area of central Kashmir to offer condolences to the family.
Head constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi was shot dead at point-blank range by a militant in the busy Lal Chowk market of south Kashmir's Anantnag district on Wednesday.
Sharma said Amit Shah had told him he wanted to speak to the policeman's family to offer his condolences.
"During the phone talk, the Home Minister assured the family of all possible support," he said. "Amit Shah told the family that he will personally meet them whenever he visits Kashmir."
Sharma said the policeman's sacrifice would be honoured and efforts would be made to name a school, ground or any other public institution in his native area after him in recognition of his service and sacrifice to the nation.
"Two generations of the Qureshi family have served the nation," he said, reiterating that the BJP and the Central Government would always stand with the family.
Meanwhile, police and security agencies have launched a massive manhunt for the militant and the militant network involved in the attack.
In a Valley-wide crackdown, police have detained about 3,500 suspected Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of militants, including 700 from Srinagar, to maintain peace and public order, enhance security, and deter anti-national elements from exploiting the prevailing situation.
Security agencies have also beefed up security across the Valley following the militant attack and demolished the houses of two local Lashkar-e-Taiba militants in Anantnag.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the residence of the slain policeman on Friday and conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
"The entire nation is proud of brave-heart Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, whose courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty will remain etched in our collective memory," he said.
The Lieutenant Governor assured the family that the administration stands firmly with them and will ensure their well-being and dignity.
He also assured full support to the family until the slain policeman's son completes his studies and becomes eligible for a compassionate government appointment.
