Anantnag/Shopian, Mar 31: A policeman was killed and another injured in separate incidents of firing by militants in Pulwama and Anantnag districts of south Kashmir today, the police said.
Unidentified militants fired upon Mohammad Ashraf Mir – a resident of Machpuna Pulwama, presently staying in Chanapora area of the city here – near Murran Chowk in Pulwama district, a police official said.
Mir was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, he said.
Earlier, police had said that a civilian was injured. However, later they ascertained his identity and found out that he was a special police officer (SPO).
A wreath-laying ceremony was held at district police lines in Pulwama, where floral tributes were paid.
In another incident earlier today, militants shot at and injured SPO Turag Singh while he was on traffic duty in Khanabal Chowk area of Anantnag, the police official said.
Singh was rushed to a nearby hospital, from where he was referred to a Srinagar hospital for specialised treatment, he said.
On Thursday, militants killed an SPO and injured his wife in Anantnag district. In another incident that day, militants fired upon a man at Chancer in Kulgam district. He was hit by a bullet in the leg and was admitted to a local hospital.
Meanwhile, militants late Saturday fired upon an army patrolling vehicle in Nulie Zainpora in south Kashmir’s Shopian district. However, there was no report of any injuries or casualties.
Sources said that militants hiding in orchards, fired few rounds at a vehicle of army’s 44 RR unit.
The army personnel retaliated, leading to a brief exchange of fire. The gunshots also created panic among the inhabitants.
The militants, as per source, managed to escape from the spot even as the forces launched a search operation in the area.
