Senior cop killed in Budgam militant attack

A senior police officer was killed while three others, including two policemen, were wounded when militants attacked a police patrolling team in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Monday afternoon.

Reports said the sudden attack by militants took place at around 1:35 pm when a police party was patrolling the busy market of Chadoora town in Budgam district, around 18 km south of Srinagar.

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, A G Mir told reporters at the wreath-laying ceremony here that terrorists attacked a police party at a­ busy market place in Chadoora. “The Station House Officer of the police station Chadoora, Sub-Inspector Shabir Ahmad was killed in the attack. Two policemen and a civilian were also injured in the attack,” he said. The IGP said the militants took advantage of the panic that gripped the place after the attack and escaped from the spot. He said the police reacted cautiously to avoid any civilian injuries.

“Investigation has been started and search operations for nabbing the terrorists have been started at many places,” he said. “Our resolve to fight the terrorism has got strengthened and we will track them down to the last terrorist.”

The wounded policemen have been identified as Muhammad Shafi and Firdous Ahmad while injured civilian has been identified as Ghulam Muhammad.

A lesser known militant outfit Al-Nasereen claimed responsibility for the attack, A local news gathering agency, quoting a statement of outfit spokesman Sami-ul-Haq, said its cadres carried out the attack.

The attack came just a few days after state Director General Police (DGP) Ashok Prasad said police personnel have been given strict instructions to adhere to standard operating procedures (SOP) while on duty.

He had also said that as part of a deliberate strategy, militants in the valley were carrying out audacious and better-planned attacks on security forces now, forcing police to review their strategy.