Constable martyred in encounter in Kashmir

A constable was killed and a terrorist injured in a brief shoot-out between police and the ultras in the Soura area of Srinagar on Tuesday, officials said.

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said the police had launched a covert operation in the area after receiving inputs about the presence of terrorists there.

“Police had information that three terrorists were roaming in a car. A covert team of police was after them, and a brief encounter took place in which a terrorist sustained a bullet injury,” Kumar told reporters on the sidelines of an event.

The police chief said selection grade constable Amir Hussain Lone of Kupwara was critically injured in the shoot-out.

“He was taken to a hospital, where he succumbed to injuries. We regret this, but we will soon neutralise the group,” he said.

Kumar said the group was affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
“This was an LeT group consisting of Basit, who became a commander after the killing of Mehran. There was Rehan also and another terrorist. This group is behind the recent killings, including in Budgam. We have been tracking them and will soon neutralise them,” he added.

On a spike in militant attacks, the IG said the security forces were conducting operations. “So far this month, we have neutralised 11 hardcore terrorists, 12-13 of them have also been arrested. Our operations are on,” he added.

Political parties of Jammu and Kashmir condemned the killing of the cop.
“Deeply saddened by the dastardly killing of Amir Hussain of the JK Police. We are fast turning the dignity of human lives into a statistic. And that is very dangerous. My condolences to the family. May Allah give them strength to bear this loss,” Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone said on Twitter.

The National Conference said, “Deeply saddened by the demise of 30-year-old SGCT Amir Hussain who lost his life in a shootout at Zoonimar, Soura (Srinagar). May Allah grant him a place in Jannat and give his loved ones enough strength to face the days ahead.”

Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari said the cycle of violence was despicable and served no cause.
“Condemn the killing of a policeman in a brief shoot out in Srinagar today. My heart goes out to his family & loved ones. This cycle of violence is despicable and serves no cause. It only leaves behind inevitable loss and adds to our sufferings,” he tweeted.

Meanwhile, three people were arrested in connection with a grenade throwing incident in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Tuesday

Police based on reliable sources picked up one suspect, identified as Fazil-bin-Rashid, a resident of Melhura in Shopian, in connection with the incident, a police spokesman said.

During questioning, Rashid disclosed that he was working with one active terrorist namely Basit Ahmed of Frisal Kulgam who was linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT (TRF). On his instructions, he threw a grenade at Babapora camp of CRPF on March 19 in which one CRPF Jawan was injured, he said.

The spokesman said Rashid disclosed that he lobbed the grenade as a task given by Ahmed in order to join terrorist ranks.

During further questioning, he disclosed the name of another accused person, identified as Qaiser Zahoor Khan, Nowpora Safakadal, Srinagar. On Khan’s disclosure, incriminating material, arms and ammunition including three Chinese pistols, six magazines, four grenades and 30 rounds were recovered, he said.

All the three accused persons involved in the terror crime have been arrested and further investigation is on, the spokesman added.