2 terror attacks shake Srinagar, 3 cops killed; J&K put on high alert

Srinagar: Militants on Monday shot dead three policemen, including an officer, in two separate terror attacks in Srinagar’s Zadibal and Tengpora area, the first such attack in the city in nearly three years.

The ultras shot at the two cops from close range at Mill Stop in Zadibal area which connects the city to the Hazratbal Shrine and super speciality SKIMS Hospital at Soura, a police official said.

The two cops died on the spot, he said, adding the deceased have been identified as Assistant Sub Inspector Ghulam Mohammad and Head Constable Nazir Ahmad. The slain cops were posted at Zadibal Police Station.

Police and other security forces have been put on an alert to look out for the assailants, who managed to flee the spot.

In the second strike, militants shot at constable Mohammad Sadiq, who was posted as personal security guard to chairman of J&K Pasmanda Tabqajaat (downtrodden classes) Mohammad Abdullah Chatwal, at Tengpora on Parimpora-Hyderpora Bypass road.

The militants also snatched the service rifle of the injured cop before fleeing from the spot, the official said adding the attack took place at around 12 noon. The cop later succumbed to injuries at Police hospital at Batamaloo.

These major attacks in the city come after nearly three years. The last such attack took place on June 22, 2013 when two policemen were shot dead at Hari Singh High Street.

The Jammu and Kashmir government said the incidents like "unfortunate" killing of three policemen by militants will not deter it from making efforts for peace, prosperity and development and underlined that such "inimical" forces would have to be countered unitedly.

"It (killing of policemen) is unfortunate. Time has come when we all should join hands to counter the forces inimical to peace, prosperity and development," Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh told reporters here.

Paying rich tributes to the slain policemen and praying that their families bear the loss, Singh said such incidents would not deter the government in its pursuit for peace, prosperity and development.

"Such incidents and inimical forces will not deter our determination to restore peace and order or sabotage our mission for development and provide succour to the common man. Such incidents will not weaken our resolve," he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the government, security forces, police are making sacrifices and "the three policemen have joined the list of martyrs".