Police ASI, civilian shot dead by militants
Lt Guv condemns attack, terms it an act of ‘cowardice’
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 Nawakadal near Eidgah locality of the city, they said.
“At about 6 pm, militants fired at and critically injured a civilian identified as 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, he said, Ashraf succumbed to the injuries, the official added.
“Militants fired upon a #civilian namely Rouf Ahmad at Merjanpora, Eidgah PS Safakadal #Srinagar. The injured was shifted to SMHS hospital where he was declared dead. #Case registered, investigation going on. @JmuKmrPolice,” a police spokesman tweeted
Police said that an ASI of Jammu and Kashmir police was shot at by militants near SDH Bijbehara during evening hours. “He was shifted to hospital, where doctors declared him dead,” the official said.
They identified the slain as Muhammad Ashraf of Awantipora stating that he had received four bullet injuries. Kashmir zone police tweeted that “Militants fired indiscriminately & critically injured a police personnel ASI Mohd Ashraf of PS Bijbehara, #Anantnag. He has been shifted to #Srinagar based hospital for treatment. Area cordoned off. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice.” In another tweet, police said: “Injured ASI Mohd Ashraf #succumbed to his injuries. We stand by his family at this critical juncture.”
The spokesman said that they have registered cases regarding both the incidents. “Investigation is in progress and officers continue to work to establish the full circumstances leading to these crimes. The respective areas have been cordoned and search in these areas is going on,” the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, Lt Guv Manoj Sinha also tweeted and stated: “Deeply saddened by the barbaric and cowardly act in Srinagar and Anantnag. I strongly condemn this heinous attack on civilian Rouf Ahmad & JKP officer Mohd Ashraf. The militants and their handlers responsible for these killings will be brought to justice soon. Such barbaric 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.”
