SI martyred, one terrorist killed, one arrested in Zakur shoot-out

SPO injured; CM, DyCM condoles; TuM claims responsibility

SRINAGAR: A sub-inspector of state police attained martyrdom while a terrorist was killed in a shoot-out in Zakura area of Srinagar on Friday. A special police officer also received injuries in the gun battle while the police later arrested another suspected terrorist involved in the encounter.
The shoot-out took place when a police party had gone for a search operation after receiving inputs about presence of terrorists in Zakura area. It was then that the terrorists- three in number and travelling in a car opened fire on cops at the Zakura crossing on Srinagar-Ganderbal road, injuring two policemen, a police official said.
The injured cops were taken to a nearby hospital, where Sub Inspector Imran Tak of Udhampur succumbed to injuries, while the condition of injured SPO- hit on his leg-was reported stable.
Slain officer Tak has joined police in 2010 and was posted in Srinagar.
In the gun-battle that ensued, Police had hit one of the terrorists even as they managed to escape from the area.
Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Range, Munir Khan, said "It was not an attack but a shootout during a search operation."
The IGP said that the police, later, arrested one of three terrorists and seized the vehicle in which they were travelling, adding that ammunition including UBGL grenades and some currency notes were recovered from it.
The arrested terrorist has been identified as Tauseef Ahmad of Parimpora.
"We have recovered cash, papers, camouflage clothes and some other material," he said.
Later in the day, one of the two terrorists who had fled was brought home dead, a police official said.
The police have identified the slain terrorist as Mugees Ahmad Mir of Parimpora.
"Mugees Ahmad Mir, a resident of Paranoia in the city, was brought home dead this evening," the police official said, adding that he was injured in the shoot-out.
A police officer said the slain militant, Mugees Ahmad Mir, was an associate of Zakir Musa, who left the Hizbul Mujahideen to float an IS affiliate in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen has taken responsibility of the attack.
The terror outfit's spokesman while talking to a Valley based news agency claimed that terrorists of the outfit attacked the joint party of SOG and CRPF at Zakura in which a police officer was killed and many others injured.
The spokesman said that slain terrorist was outfit's district commander for Pulwama.
Credible sources have informed The News Now that the outfit had only three terrorists.
"With one of them killed and other arrested, there is only terrorist left in the group," they said, identifying the third person as Dawood, who is believed to be the third person involved in the attack.
Later, a wreath laying ceremony was held for the slain SI in DPL here which was attended by DGP, IGP and other senior officials of the police.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti paid rich tributes to slain Sub Inspector Imran Talk and condemned the attack.
Mufti said violence is no means to achieve any goals, rather it tears apart the entire social fabric of the society, and also conveyed her sympathies with the bereaved family of slain cop.
Deputy Chief Minister, Nirmal Singh also expressed grief over the killing of SI Imran Tak. While condemning the killing of police officer, Singh said the "sacrifices rendered by police officers would be remembered forever and the perpetrators of the violence would be dealt with sternly." He also expressed sympathies with the bereaved family prayed for peace to the departed soul.
Meanwhile, authorities have decided to impose curfew-like restrictions in eight police station areas of the city as a precautionary measure.
"Restrictions will remain in force in Parimpora, Khanyar, M R Gunj, Nowahtta, Maisuma, Kralkhud, Rainawari and Safakadal police station areas tomorrow to prevent any law and order problems," the official said.
He said schools and colleges will remain closed in the city tomorrow, but exams will be held as per schedule.
"The examination admit cards will be treated as curfew passes for students who are writing exams tomorrow," he added.