Militants kill 4 cops in Shopian

Barely a few hours after the killing of top Hizbul-Mujahideen commander in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, militants attacked a police party in neighbouring Shopian district killing four cops on Wednesday.

Reports said a group of heavily armed militants opened fire upon the escort party of deputy superintendent police (DSP) headquarters, Shopian at Arhama village, 75 km from here, in the afternoon.

In the attack, four policemen suffered fatal bullet wounds. They were rushed to a nearby hospital, where all of them succumbed to injuries, reports added.

“The attack was so intense that policemen didn't get time to retaliate,” sources said and added the attack could in retaliation of Hizbul commander Altaf Kachroo’s killing. Kachroo was neutralised in Anantnag district along with his associate.

The escort party, sources said, had gone to the area to repair a police vehicle when the incident occurred. The militants after carrying out the attack decamped with three service rifles of the slain policemen, they said.

The slain policemen were identified as constables Ishfaq Mir, Javaid Bhat, Mohammad Iqbal Mir and special police officer (SPO) Adil Bhat.

Pakistan-based militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad while claiming responsibility for the deadly attack said its cadre along with that of Hizbul ultras jointly attacked the police party. A local news gathering agency GNS quoting Jaish spokesman said the militants also decamped with three rifles of the slain policemen.

In view of growing tensions and street protests, the authorities have suspended train services and internet facilities in Kulgam, Anantnag and Shopian districts.