Ultras kill NC leader’s PSO

2 kids hurt in Kulgam blast

SRINAGAR: A Personal Security Officer (PSO) of a National Conference (NC) leader was on Sunday killed in a militant attack in south Kashmir district of Anantnag, even as Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched by security forces in the area to nab the militants.
Official sources said militants fired at NC leader Syed Tawqeer Shah while he was returning from Kokernag in Anantnag, where he had gone to attend a meeting of the party workers.
“Shah’s PSO, identified as Selection Grade Constable Reyaz Ahmad, suffered serious bullet wounds and was immediately shifted to Sub-district hospital Kokernag for treatment,” they said.
Block Medical Officer Dr Abid Bashir informed that the injured cop was received by the health facility.
“The cop had received serious bullet wound in his abdomen and was shifted to district hospital Anantnag in critical condition where he succumbed,” he said.
SSP Anantnag Altaf Khan also confirmed the incident and said that police has taken cognizance of the incident.
The militants managed to escape from the spot, police said, adding security forces were rushed to the area and a search operation was launched to nab the attackers.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah condemned the killing of the policeman.
He said Ahmad was posted as security officer to former judge Syed Tauqeer, who had joined politics few months ago.
"My colleague from Kokernag in South Kashmir Judge (Retd) Tauqeer Sb was just attacked by militants. While he escaped unhurt, his security officer was hit & killed in the line of duty. I unreservedly condemn this dastardly attack & convey my condolences to the family of the deceased," the former chief minister tweeted.
Meanwhile, two children were injured on Sunday in a mysterious blast in south Kashmir district of Kulgam.
“Around 4 pm, two boys who were returning from orchards at Cheyan found an object in a freshly dug up site where a pump is being installed.
“The boys started fiddling with it. When they smashed it with stone it bursted resulting in injuries to the duo identified as Sandip Kumar son of Satish Kumar of chattisgarh and Sahil Ahmed Bhat son of Gowher Ahmad of Cheyan,” a police spokesman said.
“Sandip Kumar has recieved serious injuries and has been shifted to Srinagar while as Sahil Ahmad has recieved minor injury,” he added.
He said the injured were immediately taken to a local hospital from where they were referred to a hospital in Srinagar.
“Police have registered a case and initiated investigation into the incident,” he added.
Soon a Bomb-Disposal Squad (BDS) was rushed to the site to clear the site of any explosive substance, reports said.