Srinagar: Militants Wednesday shot dead a police officer and a civilian within minutes of each other in two separate incidents in Kashmir Valley, officials said.
While the police Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) was shot dead in Bijbehara area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, the civilian was gunned down in Merjanpora locality of Nawakadal area of the city, they said.
“At about 6 pm, terrorists fired at & critically injured a civilian namely Rouf Ahmad near his residence in Nawakadal area of Srinagar,” a police official said.
He said the injured person was shifted to SMHS Hospital here, where he succumbed to the injuries.
In another incident shortly afterwards, militants fired at and injured police ASI Mohammad Ashraf outside Bijbehara hospital, the official said.
The injured ASI was taken to the same hospital, from where he was referred to a medical facility in Srinagar, the official said.
However, Ashraf succumbed to the injuries, the official added.
Immediately after these attacks, the areas were cordoned off and searches launched to nab the attackers, he said.
Meanwhile, the killings were condemned by the Lieutenant Governor and leaders of different political parties.
While condemning the killings, LG Manoj Sinha said that the perpetrators will be brought to justice soon.
“Deeply saddened by the barbaric and cowardly terrorist act in Srinagar and Anantnag. I strongly condemn this heinous attack on civilian Rouf Ahmad & JKP officer Mohd Ashraf. The terrorists and their handlers responsible for these killings will be brought to justice soon.
Such barbaric terror act will not succeed in undermining J&K’s development journey. Deepest & heartfelt condolences to bereaved families. Govt stands with the families & friends at this difficult time” Office of LG J&K tweeted.
“No end in sight to this cycle of bloodshed & violence in Kashmir. Deepest condolences to their families. Allah (SWT) jannat naseeb karein. Ameen,” tweeted PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti.
While condoling with the families of the victims, Sajad Lone, chairman JKPC tweeted: “My heartfelt condolences to the families of Rouf Ahmed and ASI Ashraf, killed by gunmen today. May Allah grant Jannat.”
NC vice president NC, Omar Abdullah also condemned the killings and tweeted: “Allah marhoom ko magfirat farmaye Ameen. I unreservedly condemn these two attacks & send my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives today.”
National Conference while condemning the killings tweeted: “Unequivocally condemn the militant attacks on ASI Muhammad Ashraf in Bijbehara and civilian Rouf Ahmad Khan in Eidgah in which both lost their lives. Our hearts go out to their families, friends and colleagues. May Allah grant them a place in Jannat.”
Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari also condemned the twin attacks and killings.
In a statement issued here, Bukhari termed such attacks as highly reprehensible while saying that radical forces have only added to the woes of the people in J&K.
“Violence in any of its manifestations is always unacceptable and will yield nothing except for further death and destruction. The vicious cycle of death has caused much loss to human lives in J&K while devastating the socio-economic conditions of the people during the last over three decades. It is high time for such incidents to be stopped now” he said.
Bukhari extended his profound condolences to the bereaved families in this time of despair and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.
