Militants snatch rifle from cop in Kashmir

In a first incident of its kind in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militants on Tuesday overpowered a cop and snatched his service rifle from Kandhar area of the frontier district.

Reports said policeman identified as Mohammad Ishaq of 4th Indian Reserve Police (IRP) battalion was overpowered by militants, who snatched his service Insas rifle near Kandhar area of Lolab in Kupwara, 120 kms from here.

The policeman was part of the deployment for former minister and PDP MLA Abdul Haq Khan's visit in the area, reports added.

A police officer confirmed the incident saying it is a “serious concern”, as the incident is first of its kind in the frontier district. Weapon snatching cases are common in south Kashmir districts of Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and Anantnag in the last three years.

He said soon after the incident, a joint team of army and police launched a hunt to nab the militants.

Local news gathering agency KNS quoting Hizbul spokesman, Burhan-ud-din tele-statement claimed responsibility of the rifle snatching incident.