Cop martyred in attack on Ex-MLA

Terrorist killed in Kupwara encounter, 3 JeM ultras among 5 arrested

SRINAGAR: In an audacious attack, the terrorists on Monday attacked the vehicle of a former legislator in Pulwama, killing one of his Personal Security Officer (PSO) and injuring the other, before decamping with their service rifles while the ex-MLA had a narrow escape.

In Kupwara, a terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces near the Line of Control, whereas two jawans sustained injuries in the operation, even as five person, including three JeM terrorists were arrested by police in separate incidents, along with arms and ammunition.

A police constable was killed and his colleague injured as terrorists attacked the vehicle of former MLA legislator Ghulam Mohiudin Mir near Murran in south Kashmir district of Pulwama.

The attack took place when National Conference (NC) leader Mir, a former MLA from Rajpora, was on his way to Pulwama from Srinagar.

While Mir had a narrow escape, Constable Mudasir Ahmad attained martyrdom while his colleague Constable Nasir Ahmad from security wing also sustained injuries and has been referred to Srinagar for specialized treatment.

The two constables were deployed on the politician's personal security, the official said.

The terrorists after the firing incident snatched the weapons of the policemen before fleeing away from the site. The photographs of the snatched weapons were later released by the terrorists.

Reinforcements were rushed to the spot and have cordoned off the area for searches.

Based on the initial probe, police have learnt that Zahoor Thokar group of proscribed HM terror outfit is involved in the incident, official sources informed.

“Police has registered the case and investigation into the instant matter has been initiated,” a spokesperson said.

A wreath laying ceremony for the martyr cop was held at District Police Lines Pulwama, later in the evening. Civil and Police officers led by Inspector General of Police S.P Pani-IPS along with DIG SKR Amit Kumar IPS and District SP Pulwama Mohammad Aslam laid floral wreaths on the mortal remains and paid rich tributes to the martyr.

Earlier in the day, an unidentified terrorist, believed to be a foreigner, was killed and two soldiers were injured in an encounter which ensued on Monday morning in the woods in the frontier district of Kupwara.

An army officer based in north Kashmir said that the encounter broke out near Safawali Gali adjacent to Batpora forests after a joint search party of 10 JAKLI, 57 RR and 41 RR challenged the movement of a group of infiltrators during pre-dawn hours today. “Troops also retaliated and in the ensuing encounter a terrorist was killed and two soldiers were injured,” he said.

The firefight continued intermittently till today morning, the officer said.

He said that a body of an unknown terrorist was recovered along with an AK rifle during searches.

“The identity of the terrorist was being ascertained,” they said adding the injured soldiers were evacuated to hospital.

Sources said additional security forces have joined the operation and a massive search was going on when the reports last came in. A soldier Mukul Meena was killed and another injured in the encounter in the Kupwara woods on July 11 where a terrorist was also gunned down by troops next day on July 12.

Meanwhile, Sopore police today busted a Jaish-e-Mohammad module by arresting three hardcore militants, in two separate Nakas laid at Haritar and Yarbugh Rafiabad areas.

Acting on a credible input, a joint team of security forces laid a naka at Haritar area during which a suspicious person was apprehended. The person identified as Bilal Ahmad Kaloo son of Ab Rehman Kaloo resident of Takiabal Sopore turned out to be an active member of proscribed terror outfit JeM.
“Two grenades, a Matrix sheet of JeM outfit were recovered from his possession,” a police spokesperson said, adding that a case vide FIR number 65/2018 under section 7/25 Arms Act, 13 ULA Act was registered in Police Station Tarzoo and investigation was taken up.

Similarly, two more active members of JeM outfit were apprehended by Sopore Police with the assistance of security forces during naka checking at Yarbugh Rafiabad.

“They were identified as Asif Sheikh son of Ghulam Qadir Sheikh and Abdul Majeed Mir son of Ghulam Ahmad Mir, both residents of Yarbugh Rafiabad,” the spokesperson said.

One Hand Grenade, 04 rounds of AK47 and 02 Matrix sheets of JeM Outfit were recovered from their possession and a case vide FIR number 92/2018 under section 7/25 A Act, 13 ULA Act was registered in Police Station Dangiwacha and investigation was taken up.

In another such incident, the Police claimed to have arrested two persons along with some ammunition from south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
A police official claimed that they have arrested two persons along with some ammunition after a joint team of 3RR and Special Operations Group (SOG) of police raided two hoses in Pulwama.

“We have arrested two persons and the ammunition was recovered from their houses,” the official said.

“The investigations are going on and the case has also been registered against them,” he added.