Militants loot four rifles from cops in Kashmir

Unidentified militants on Thursday looted four assault rifles from policemen guarding a former Congress leader's house in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.

Reports said that the militants raided the police post at former Congress leader Mohammad Shafi Banday's house at Bunbazar, Shopian and decamped with four Insas rifles.

A senior police officer confirmed that four weapons were looted. Soon after the incident, senior police, army and para-military officers reached the spot and a manhunt was launched for the militants.

The policemen on guard duty were suspended for alleged dereliction of duty as they offered no resistance when the militants looted their weapons, sources said.

Spurt in loot

There has been a spurt in the incidents of weapons snatching by militants in the Valley since 2016. “Due to the sudden rise in local recruitment of militants, there is a shortage of weapons in terror outfits and weapons snatching is being resorted to. Such acts are also intended to embarrass the security personnel,” a senior police officer told DH.

Army and police have time and again voiced concern over rifle-snatching and taken several measures to stop the menace. However, militants continue to snatch weapons at will.