Militants shoot at cardiologist, kill two personal security officers

No outfit has claimed responsibility for attack

A renowned cardiologist was seriously injured while two of his personal security officers were killed when suspected militants attacked the vehicle in which they were travelling, on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, near Pampora, in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday.

Reports said former director of Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Dr Jalal-ud-Din was seriously injured with bullet wounds to the head and abdomen, and two of his private security officers were killed on the spot when militants ambushed the vehicle near his residence at Astan Mohalla Namblabal Pampore around 2:40 pm.

The slain officers have been identified as Tariq Ahmad Bhat (belt no. 1111/S) son of Ghulam Qadir from Bagiyas Chatabal Srinagar and Pervaiz Ahmad Wani (belt no. APS/87) son of Abdul Majeed from Wanigam Qaimoh Kulgam. The gunmen also escaped with the Insas rifles of the cops and fled the spot, sources said.

Police reached the spot and shifted Dr Jalal to SKIMS where he was operated on. “After his operation, he is in stable condition and out of danger,” SKIMS medial superintendent Dr Aijaz Mustafa said. No militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the attack on
the life of Dr Jalal and on the killing of two police personnel in the incident. Terming it an act of cowardice, he said that such attempts by terror mongers on respectable people who are assets to society is unfortunate and depicts the mind set of these elements having no concern for precious human lives.