Killings evoke wide spread condemnation ; Jaish claims responsibility
Srinagar: Four cops were killed after militants attacked a guard post at Zainapora area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district, police said.
Police said that the militants in this afternoon fired upon the guard post deployed at Zainapora in District Shopian.
“They (militants) fired indiscriminately on a guard post at Zainapora area of Shopian in which four cops sustained injuries,” police said, adding that three among them succumbed to the injuries while the other injured has been shifted to the hospital for medical treatment.
Police identified the slain cops as constable Anees Ahmad Belt No. 480/SPN, resident of Kulgam, sgct Abdul Majid, 193/SPN, resident of Ganderbal, Constable Mehraj u din, 477/SPN, resident of Hajin Bandipora and constable Hameed ullah 860/SPN resident of Anantnag who succumbed to his injuries on way to the hospital.
Police said that area has been cordoned off and search has been initiated in the area.
However, unconfirmed reports said that the militants after carrying out the attack also decamped with service rifles of the cops.
Floral tribute was paid to four policemen killed in a militant attack in Zainapora area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Tuesday, police said.
A spokesman said that a wreath laying ceremony was held at District Police Lines Shopian to pay homage to Abdul Majeed Ganaie, Mehraj-ud-din Dar, Anees Ahmad Mir and Hameed-ul-lah Ganaie.
“Civil & Police Officers including Munir Ahmed Khan, ADGP (Security/Law & Order/HG), IGP Kashmir S. P. Pani, DIG SKR Amit Kumar laid floral wreaths on the mortal remains & paid rich tributes to the martyrs who made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty,” he said.
Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant outfit claimed the Shopian attack that left four policemen dead.
A JeM spokesperson Muhammad Hassan, according to a statement issued to news agency GNS, said, “As per initial reports, three Indian forces (personnel) have been killed while several others critically injured.”
Hassan, according to the statement, said they snatched four rifles from the cops.
The attack, according to the police, took place on policemen guarding the minority community in Zainapora area of the district.
Meanwhile, Governor Satya Pal Malik has expressed grief over the loss of lives of policemen who were killed today in an attack on a police post at Zainapora in Shopian.
In a message Governor has prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls and conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families.
Meanwhile, PDP President and former Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has condemned the killing of three jawans of J&K Police in Zainapora area of Shopian today.
Mehbooba Mufti said violence of last three decades or more has taken a heavy toll on the people of the State in terms of death and destruction, tearing apart of the social fabric, inflicting massive economic, academic and other losses besides the irreparable loss of human lives.
She paid rich tributes to the slain policemen who she said were on their duty. She also conveyed her sympathies to the bereaved families of the policemen.
Also, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah condemned the killing of three JK policemen Anees Ahmad, Abdul Majid and Mehraj ud Din in an attack on a police post in Zainapora hamlet of Shopian.
Vice president while deploring the killings said, “We have lost three of our brave cops while delivering their duties. I pay my heartfelt tributes to the three policemen and pray for the speedy recovery of those who are injured,” he said.
Expressing his heartfelt condolence with the bereaved families, the NC Vice President said state has been at the receiving end with deaths, whether of a civilian, a policeman or a militant, becoming order of the day over the past three decades.
Omar while expressing concern said that a minority community which is putting up there should not feel apprehensive of their security.
