Srinagar
Shock, anger and outrage have gripped the J&K Police after three off-duty policemen were killed by militants in south Kashmir on Eid. The police have “vowed to bring those involved in the killings before the law soon.”
While Inspector Mohammad Asharf Dar and two constables were killed by militants in three separate attacks in south Kashmir during Eid celebrations on Wednesday, two other officers had a narrow escape as militants raided their residences in south Kashmir last night. An Assistant Sub Inspector fled upon seeing the militants coming towards his house and another inspector was luckily not at home when militants raided his house. The militants fired some gunshots in the inspector’s house upon not finding him there.
Director General of Police Shesh Paul Vaid said militant group Hizbul Mujahideen was involved in the killing of two policemen and the Jaish-e-Mohammad was behind the third attack. “We will get those behind these killings,” the DGP said.
He said that there was a general advisory for policemen, asking them to be alert and, if possible, inform police stations when they go home.
The J&K Police had last year told its men to refrain from visiting homes in the volatile south Kashmir areas. Police sources said there were also inputs with the police that militants might target policemen during Eid festivity.
Soon after the killings in south Kashmir on Wednesday, many police officers called back their staff that had gone on leave to celebrate Eid.