Srinagar, May 11: A policeman was killed by militants during a “weapon snatching bid” in Budgam district of central Kashmir Friday, police said.
“The militants attempted to force their way inside a guard post at Wardwan in Soibug area of the central Kashmir district,” a police spokesman said.
He said the militants appeared outside the guard post and held-up selection grade constable Shamim Ahmad “who was unarmed and was going to offer Friday prayers at a nearby mosque,” he said.
“Ahmad was asked by the militants to lead them towards the guard post,” the spokesman said, adding however, “he raised an alarm and the alert jawans inside the post foiled the weapon snatching bid.”
“In the process, the cop was injured,” he said.
Later, the spokesman said, Ahmad, a resident of Check Hanjan Yaripora in Kulgam district of south Kashmir, succumbed to the injuries.
Claiming that all arms and ammunition in the post were safe, the spokesman said the area had been cordoned off while police have registered a case.
Meanwhile, following the attack, clashes erupted between youth and the government forces after the former pelted Army with stones.
Reports said that a youth sustained bullet injury after army-men fired to disperse the protesters.
Adil Farooq Mir, son of Farooq Mir, resident of Galvanpora, Budgam, suffered a bullet wound in his right thigh. He was immediately shifted to nearby hospital from where he was referred to Srinagar hospital for specialized treatment.
Mobile Internet service was also suspended in Budgam district in the wake of this incident.
An official said that Internet service was shut “as a precautionary measure” to prevent spreading of rumours.
Meanwhile, the twin districts of Shopian and Pulwama remained shut for the sixth consecutive day today against last weekend’s civilian and militant killings.
All shops and other business establishments, educational institutions and banks remained closed while traffic was off the roads.
Broadband and mobile Internet services also continued to remain blocked in Shopian district while 2G mobile Internet service was restored in Pulwama yesterday.
Reports said that two youth were detained during nocturnal raids by the government forces in Gagran village of Shopian. Locals alleged that the forces harassed them during the raids.
Meanwhile, while terming the killing of a police guard in Wadwan village of central Kashmir’s Budgam district as unfortunate and tragic, CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami Friday said the slain cop was not on combat duty but was guarding a minority picket.
Whose ‘cause’ is fulfilled by such killings? Whether a person is killed by the bullet from one side or the other side, it is a Kashmiri who is losing life. For how long such killings will continue?
He expressed heartfelt sympathies with the family of the slain policeman.
