Pak ordered Anantnag attack: Guv
JKP rallies behind brave SHO battling life & death
TNN Bureau. Updated: 6/14/2019 11:39:54 AM

SRINAGAR: Governor Satya Pal Malik on Thursday expressed deep anguish over the loss of 5 CRPF men in Wednesday's terror attack in Anantnag district as floral tributes were paid to the slain personnel at a function held at Humhama.

Asserting that the 'fidayeen' (suicide squad) attack was carried out at the behest of Pakistan, Malik said that his administration’s resolve to eliminate the menace of terrorism is unshakable.

Five CRPF troopers, including two Assistant Sub-Inspectors and a militant, were killed in the suicide attack on the K.P. Road in Anantnag town. A civilian woman and three security men including a Station House Officer (SHO) were injured.

In Delhi, CRPF Director General (DG) RR Bhatnagar met Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and briefed him about the attack.

Condemning the cowardly attack, the governor said his heart went out to the departed soldiers and their families, a Raj Bhawan spokesperson said.

"Whenever successful attempts are made by the security forces to either conduct peaceful elections or continuous elimination of terrorists, the masterminds of terrorists from across the border order them to carry out fidayeen (suicide) attacks on forces and yesterday's attack in Anantnag district was also a fidayeen attack," Malik said.

He added that the terrorists and their handlers should know that "our resolve to eliminate this menace (of terrorism) is unshakable".

Earlier, at the sidelines of a function here, Malik termed the attack as a 'fidayeen' (suicide squad) attack which was carried out at the behest of Pakistan.

Malik said: "Pakistan ordered yesterday's fidayeen attack. Whenever there is peace in the Valley, Pakistan tries to disrupt it by resorting to such attacks."

The Governor said the peaceful conduct of the Lok Sabha elections had not gone down well with the handlers of militants in Pakistan.

Asked if it was a matter of concern that the attack was carried on the road that will be taken by pilgrims for the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra, he said: "Security forces would not allow militants to get near the 'yatris'. The attack was not on the 'yatris' as the 'yatra' is yet to commence."

Meanwhile, a wreath-laying ceremony was held for the five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who were killed in the attack at Anantnag's Khanabal on Wednesday evening.

Governor's advisor K Vijay Kumar led officials from the CRPF, police and other security agencies in paying tributes to the slain personnel.

An unlucky Jammu and Kashmir police inspector Arshad Ahmed Khan was injured as soon as he stepped out of his armoured vehicle when a bullet fired by a terrorist ricocheted from his service rifle hitting his liver and duodenum during Wednesday's shootout at Anantnag in South Kashmir.

Khan, battling for his life at an Army hospital, received praise from senior officials including State police chief for his prompt and courageous response after the terrorist struck.

On analysing events of the Wednesday shootout, the officials said the lone Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist started firing at a CRPF patrol party at 1651 hours. Five CRPF personnel were killed in the terror attack by the militant.

Within five minutes, Khan, the SHO of Saddar Police station in Anantnag, reached the site showing exemplary courage, they said.

The moment he stepped out of his official bulletproof vehicle along with his service rifle, a barrage of bullets were fired by the terrorist. One ricocheted from the butt of his service rifle and hit his liver and duodenum.

Even in this condition, the officer kept firing bullets at the terrorist before he collapsed, they said.
Known for his professional brilliance, Khan is at present undergoing a treatment at the 92 Base Hospital located inside well-fortified XV Corps cantonment. The officer's popularity could be gauged from the fact that around 70 locals from his area of posting gathered there to inquire about his health.

Khan, 40, is a father of two boys aged four and one and has been posted in the volatile South Kashmir for some years now. "He is a brilliant operational officer," recalled one of his senior officers in choked voice and prayed for his early recovery.

Since morning many senior officers have visited the officer at the Army hospital and he could be airlifted to Delhi, in case the doctors allow it, they said, adding that the next 72 hours are crucial.

"He is a fighter and I'm sure he will win the battle for life as well. The entire fraternity of Jammu and Kashmir Police is praying for Khan's recovery," said another senior officer after visiting him.


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