Twin blasts cause panic in Rajouri
STATE TIMES NEWS
Srinagar/Rajouri: Terrorists on Saturday shot dead a special police officer (SPO) and injured his brother in Budgam district, officials said.
“At about 8:35 pm, terrorists fired at and critically injured SPO Ishfaq Ahmad near his residence at Chadbugh in Budgam,” one of the officials said.
They said in the firing, Ahmad’s brother Umar Jan also received bullet injuries.
They were taken to the SKIMS Hospital in Bemina where Ahmad died, the officials said.
Jan is undergoing treatment, they said, adding the area has been cordoned off and a hunt launched to nab the attackers.
The terror attack comes couple of days after a policeman, Amir Hussain, a resident of Kupwara, was martyred in a shootout with terrorists in Soura area of Srinagar.
This was the fourth terrorist attack on civilians and policemen in late last week in Kashmir followed by a series of terror attacks. A local civilian was killed and two migrant workers were injured in attacks in Budgam and Pulwama districts.
Last year, migrant workers from various states were targeted in attempt to drive out non locals by terrorists. A major offensive by the security forces was launched and police said all the terrorists behind the target attacks were eventually killed in encounters.
Meanwhile, two explosions in quick succession sparked panic among the people in a busy market in Rajouri district on Saturday evening, officials said.
No one was injured, they said.
The first blast was heard around 8.15 pm near a garbage dump in Kotranka market, the officials said.
Police and other security personnel rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area to investigate the cause of the blast.
As the investigation was underway, another blast occurred 10 minutes later, the officials said, adding the whole area has been cordoned off.
The officials did not rule out terror angle in the incident.
LG Manoj Sinha also condemned the terrorist attack.
“I strongly condemn the terrorist attack on SPO Ishfaq Ahmad & his brother Umar Jan. Tribute to Ishfaq, who attained martyrdom & prayers for speedy recovery of Umar. Deepest condolences to the family in this hour of grief. Those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished” LG tweeted.
Terming the attack as dastardly and barbaric, Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party President Syed said that the cowardly attack on police personnel and his younger brother has left us numb and speechless.
Bukhari said senseless violence and bloodshed has taken a heavy toll on the people of Jammu and Kashmir, tearing apart families and adding to our collective tragedies.
“I unreservedly condemn the dastardly and cowardly attack on the J&K police SPO Ishfaq Ahmad and his younger brother in Budgam. We stand with the family in this terrible time. Such acts of violence have no place in our society and only add to our collective tragedies and miseries”, Bukhari wrote on Twitter
Paying rich tributes to the slain SPO, he conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family and speedy recovery of his brother.