PDP leader’s PSO killed

Weapon snatching bids in Anantnag, Kulgam

SRINAGAR: Militants on Friday shot dead a personal security officer (PSO) of a PDP leader in Anantnag district, and snatched his service rifle, even as similar attempt was made in Kulgam district but was foiled.
The incident took place when Mufti Sajad, a PDP leader and a cousin of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, had gone to a mosque in Baba Mohalla area of Bijbehara to offer congregational prayers, a police official said.
The mosque was around 50 metres from Sajad's residence, according to police.
Reports said that militants fired upon the policeman namely Farooq Ahmad Reshi, a resident of Khiram, Anantnag who was standing outside the mosque.
Reshi who was shot at from a close range was immediately shifted to Sub-District hospital Bijebehara where doctors declared him brought dead.
A health official told that the policeman received bullet wound in his chest and was brought dead to the hospital.
According to eye witnesses, two assailants tried to snatch the PSO's rifle, but police didn’t confirm if the weapon was indeed snatched.
Meanwhile, a police spokesman in a statement said that to pay homage and respect, a wreath laying ceremony was held for the slain at District Police Lines Anantnag.
“Senior police officers including IGP Kashmir, DIG SKR, SSP Anantnag and other officers from CAPF laid floral wreaths on the mortal remains and paid rich tributes to the martyr for the supreme sacrifice made in the line of duty,” the spokesman added.
Farooq is survived by old aged father, brother, wife, 12 years old son Mohsin Farooq, 07 years old son Faisal Farooq and 02 years old son Zaid Farooq.
“We pay our rich tributes to the martyr for his supreme sacrifice made in the line of duty. We stand by his family at this crucial juncture,” the spokesman said.
Police has registered a case under relevant sections of law and officers are investigating circumstances of the attack, he said.
Meanwhile, militants on Friday evening made another abortive bid to snatch weapons from police at Aamnoo area of Qazigund in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
Reports said that militants fired upon a party of SOG while they were at Petrol filling station at Aamnoo. The fire was retaliated by the SOG men and in the meantime, reinforcements of army’s 9 RR and police reached the spot and launched the searches in the area.
A police officer while confirming the incident told that the search operation in the area is under way.
He said that it seems that militants wanted to loot weapons from the police personnel.