STATE TIMES NEWS
Srinagar: Two cops were martyred in a terror attack on a police party in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Friday, evoking widespread condemnation from various political parties.
The terrorists opened fire on the police team at the Gulshan Chowk in the evening, officials said.
The two policemen were injured in the firing and were admitted to a hospital, where they attained martyrdom, they said. Security forces have cordoned off the area and have launched a search for the assailants, the officials added, and identified the martyred cops as SgCt Mohammad Sultan and Ct Fayaz Ahmad.
Police has registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law. Investigation is in progress and officers continue to work to establish the circumstances which led to this terror crime. Area has been cordoned off and search in the area is going on, a police spokesperson said.
Late in the evening, a wreath laying ceremony for martyred cops was held.
Condemning the dastardly act, LG Manoj Sinha tweeted, “No words are strong enough to condemn the heinous terrorist attack on our brave JK Police jawans SgCT Mohd Sultan & Ct Fayaz Ahmad at Bandipora. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs”.
The attack evoked strong condemnation from mainstream political parties.
“I condemn the terrorist attack on the police in Bandipore area of North Kashmir earlier today that resulted in the death in the line of duty of J&K police personnel Muhammad Sultan and Fayaz Ahmad. May Allah grant them Jannat & may their families find strength at this time,” National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah wrote on Twitter.
The Peoples Conference wrote: “We strongly condemn the militant attack in Gulshan Chowk, Bandipora today in which two policemen lost their lives. Heartfelt condolences & sympathies with their families.”
CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami also condemned the act and demanded stern action against those responsible for the attack.
According to a Srinagar based news agency, SgCt Mohammad Sultan (37) was the lone bread earner for his family.
Sultan, who hailed from Shah Wali Muqam Dangerpora area of Sopore has left behind four children, wife and elderly father.
Terrorists have been targeting police personnel unabatedly.
Earlier in the second week of September, a police officer was killed in a hit and run attack in Khanyar area of the city.
On November 8, terrorists fired upon one Police personnel at SD Colony Batamaloo area of Srinagar Ct. Tawseef Ahmad Wani son of Late Mohammad Usman Wani resident of SD Colony Batamaloo. He had sustained grievous bullet injuries and was shifted to nearby hospital for the treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries and attained martyrdom.
On August 7, a policeman was martyred in a terrorist attack in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district of south Kashmir.
On August 3, a police officer and a civilian were injured in a terrorist attack in downtown Srinagar. The terrorists had opened fire on police’s Rakshak vehicle parked at Shiraz Chowk in Khanyar area of downtown Srinagar and injured a constable.
On June 22, Inspector Pervaiz Ahmad, who worked with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) wing of the police, was martyred after terrorists opened fire on him at Nowgam near his home in Srinagar outskirts.
On June 17, an off-duty Jammu and Kashmir policeman was martyred near his house in the old city’s Saidapora area.