Three held for throwing grenade on CRPF camp
STATE TIMES NEWS
Srinagar: A constable was martyred and a terrorist injured in a brief shoot-out between police and the ultras in the Soura area of Srinagar on Tuesday, officials said.
Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said the police had launched a covert operation in the area after receiving inputs about the presence of terrorists there.
“Police had information that three terrorists were roaming in a car. A covert team of police was after them and a brief encounter took place in which a terrorist sustained a bullet injury,” Kumar told reporters on the sidelines of an event.
The police chief said selection grade constable Amir Hussain Lone of Kupwara was critically injured in the shoot-out.
“He was taken to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries. We regret this, but we will soon neutralise the group,” he said.
Kumar said the group was affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
“This was an LeT group consisting of Basit, who became a commander after the killing of Mehran. There was Rehan also and another terrorist. This group is behind the recent killings, including in Budgam. We have been tracking them and will soon neutralise them,” he added.
On a spike in terror attacks, the IG said the security forces were conducting operations. “So far this month, we have neutralised 11 hardcore terrorists, 12-13 of them have also been arrested. Our operations are on,” he added. To pay honour and respect to the martyr, a wreath laying ceremony led by DGP Dilbag Singh was held at DPL Srinagar, where floral tributes were paid to the martyr. Special DGP CID RR Swain, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar, IG (Ops) CRPF MS Bhatia, DIG CKR Sujeet Kumar-IPS, SSP Srinagar, SSP PCR Kashmir, besides, other officers and officials and family members of the martyr also laid floral wreaths on the mortal remains and paid rich tributes to the martyr for his supreme sacrifice made in the line of duty.
“My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. The cycle of violence is despicable and serves no cause. It only leaves behind inevitable loss and adds to our sufferings” Altaf Bukhari, President Apni Party, also wrote on Twitter while expressing heartfelt condolences on martyrdom of a policeman Imran Ahmad.
In a statement to the press, Bukhari said the conflict has claimed so many lives till date all across the region and this cycle of violence needs to stop.
“I unequivocally condemn this attack while at the same time sending my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.I urge the government to take precautionary measures to save innocent lives on duty. I hope that the perpetrators of the crime are punished at the earliest,” he said.
Meanwhile, three people were arrested in connection with a grenade throwing incident in Shopian district, police said.
Police based on reliable sources picked up one suspect, identified as Fazil-bin-Rashid, a resident of Melhura in Shopian, in connection with the incident, a police spokesman said.
During questioning, Rashid disclosed that he was working with one active terrorist namely Basit Ahmed of Frisal Kulgam who was linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT (TRF). On his instructions, he threw a grenade at Babapora camp of CRPF on March 19 in which one CRPF Jawan was injured, he said.
The spokesman said Rashid disclosed that he lobbed the grenade as a task given by Ahmed in order to join terrorist ranks.
During further questioning, he disclosed the name of another accused person, identified as Qaiser Zahoor Khan, Nowpora Safakadal, Srinagar. On Khan’s disclosure, incriminating material, arms and ammunition including three Chinese pistols, six magazines, four grenades and 30 rounds were recovered, he said.
All the three accused persons involved in the terror crime have been arrested and further investigation is on, the spokesman added.