Teacher, SPO killed by Terrorists

SRINAGAR: Making their presence felt in Kashmir valley, the terrorists on Wednesday shot dead a special police officer (SPO) in Tral area of Pulwama district, while a school teacher was found dead with his throat slit in Shopian, along with a note allegedly written by Hizbul Mujahideen that claimed the killing of teacher was a revenge for three HM terrorists who were gunned down by forces last week at victim's native village.
Barely two days after terrorists gunned down a former sarpanch in Shopian with his house being set on fire the next day by a 'mob', in yet another dastardly act, terrorists on Wednesday fired at a Special Police Officer of Jammu and Kashmir Police at his residence in Gutroo village of Tral area, a police official said.
The officer who suffered critical bullet wounds, was shifted to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.
The slain officer was identified as Abdul Haleem Kohli son of Fateh Kohli, who was currently posted at Aripal tehsil in Tral sub division.
The terrorists escaped from the scene after carrying out the attack, the police official said, adding a manhunt has been launched for the assailants.
In yet another shameful incident on Wednesday, a school teacher identified as Aijaz Ahmad Lone was found dead in Wathoo village of Shopian, a police official said.
"A dead body was recovered in Wathoo village of south Kashmir's Shopian district from an open field. The deceased was identified as Aijaz Ahmad Lone of Gattipora village and his throat had been slit," a police official said.
Reportedly Aijaz, a resident of Gatipora village of Shopian had left his home last late evening and didn't return until his body was found today.
Meanwhile, a note- apparently left by militants was found on slain teacher's body along with two mobile phones.
The note in poorly written Urdu read: "Revenge for Shaheed Zahid Bhai, Shaheed Irfan Bhai and Asif Bhai." The three militants, Zahid, Irfan and Asif were gunned down by forces last week at Gatipora village.
Hizbul Mujahideen and 'ZIA squad' was also written on the note left on slain's body.
"By the grace of Allah we have begun to take revenge. And we warn everyone that they must repent otherwise they will face the same consequences. We have information about all the informers of army and police and this must be seen as a final warning," the Hizbul note warned.
Meanwhile, a police official said that they are are investigating the case.