Ex-militant killed, cop injured in Tral grenade attack

A former militant was killed while a policeman was injured in a grenade attack near police station in Tral area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district on Monday.

Police said the incident took place on Monday afternoon when a burqa (veil) clad person came out from police station and was stopped by a sentry. "During this somebody threw a grenade towards police station in a bid to take out the burqa clad militant under custody. The incident left militant dead and a policeman injured," a police spokesperson said.
 
The slain militant, identified as Mushtaq Chopan alias Haroon, a resident of Tral, was arrested along with his two associates by security forces in north Kashmir's Sopore area on January 9.
 
State Police chief Shesh Pal Vaid confirmed the killing of Chopan in the attack. "A militant Mushtaq Ahmad Chopan died in grenade explosion when challenged by sentry while trying to escape from Police Station Tral," he tweeted.
 
Earlier, in a separate incident, militants escaped security cordon after exchanging heavy fire with army in Hajin area of north Kashmir's Bandipora district on Monday morning.

Reports said a civilian was also injured during the clashes that broke out after security forces cordoned off the area following specific inputs about the presence of some militants.
 
The twin incidents came a day after two policemen were killed by militants in two separate attacks in Srinagar and Budgam areas.