SSP, other cops escape unhurt in militant ambush in Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 17 : Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and other cops had a narrow escape when militants attacked their two bulletproof vehicles with automatic weapons in south Kashmir district of Shopian on Saturday.

A massive search operation has been launched to nab the militants, who fled from the spot after brief exchange of fire. So far, no militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Official source said that SSP Shopian Shriram Dinkar Ambarkar and another Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP) along with their guards were on way to attend a function organised by 34 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) at Behibagh in neighbouring Kulgam. However, when the cavalcade reached at Hajipora Hereman, the militants opened fire with automatic weapons. However, both the officers and their guards escaped unhurt as the bullets could not penetrate the heavy metal of the vehicles.

Later, immediately after the attack, troops of RR, Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a massive search operation in the area to nab the militants responsible for the attack. However, so far, no contact has been established with the militants who are believed to have escaped.