Modi seeks details on ambush; LG says, ‘Committed to punish perpetrators’
STATE TIMES NEWS
Srinagar: Two policemen were martyred and 12 others suffered injuries as terrorists carried out a deadly attack on a bus carrying Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police personnel on the outskirts of Srinagar on Monday — the 20th anniversary of the Parliament Attack — officials said.
The bus came under fire from terrorists in Zewan in Pantha Chowk area this evening, police officials said.
They said at least 14 policemen sustained injuries in the attack. The injured were evacuated to various hospitals where two of them died.
Quoting officials, a Srinagar based news agency KNO identified the martyrs as ASI Ghulam Hassan ARP-861250 and Selection Grade Constable Shafiq Ali, Belt Number 782/AP9th ARP091317. The injured were identified as Bishember Das, Sajad Ahmed, Rameez Ahmed, Sanjay Kumar, Vikas Sharma, Abdul Majeed, Muasdhir Ahmed, Ravi Kant, Showkat Ali, Arshid Muhammad, Liyaqat Ali and Narender Singh, the bus driver.
The official said that the vehicle was coming from an armed police complex in Zewan towards Pantha Chowk. The bus ferrying policemen suffered immense damage while blood stains were visible on the seats and bullet marks from all sides, especially the front portion as suggested by the pictures viral on social media.
An eye-witness said that locals helped policemen evacuate the injured to the hospital.
Quoting a police source, the agency reported that at least three injured policemen are critical who are being treated at army base hospital at Badamibagh, Srinagar while others are stable. Witnesses said that the traffic remained disrupted for almost an hour on the Zewan-Panthachowk-Khonmoh road and was later restored after the police bus that was attacked was removed from the scene. Police sources said that the Zewan attack is this year’s deadliest attack by terrorists.
The area has been cordoned off and a search operation launched to track down the assailants, the officials said, adding that further details are awaited.
On December 13 in 2001, terrorists attacked the Parliament complex and opened fire, killing nine people. All five terrorists were shot dead.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought details on the terror attack while conveying condolences to the families of the martyrs.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said, “PM Narendra Modi has sought details on the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. He has also expressed condolences to the families of those security personnel who have been martyred in the attack.”
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and mainstream politicians and parties condemned the terror attack.
“Strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack on J&K Police bus in Srinagar. My homage to our brave martyred police personnel. We are committed to ensure that perpetrators are punished. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, Sinha said on Twitter.
He said the security forces were determined to neutralise the evil forces of terrorism.
Directed the concerned authorities to provide best possible treatment to the injured. I pray for their speedy recovery. Our police and security forces are determined to neutralize the evil forces of terrorism, he said.
Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan, strongly condemned the terrorist attack terming it as despicable act.
“The culprits behind this dastardly attack will not be spared at any cost”, warned the Advisor while advocating stringent action against those responsible for the unfortunate incident.
Advisor Khan said that such attacks reflect the frustration among the terrorists and their mentors across the border.
He expressed deep sympathies with the bereaved families of the martyred police personnel and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured. “Jammu and Kashmir police has always given supreme sacrifices for upholding the security and integrity of the country and such cowardly acts will be given a befitting reply”, asserted Advisor Khan.
Condemning the attack, National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah tweeted, “Terrible news of a terror attack on a police bus on the outskirts of Srinagar. I unequivocally condemn this attack while at the same time send my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased & prayers for the injured.”
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said while the attack on policemen was terribly sad, it exposed the Centre’s false narrative of normalcy in Kashmir .
Terribly sad to hear about the Srinagar attack in which two policemen were killed. GOIs false narrative of normalcy in Kashmir stands exposed yet there has been no course correction. My condolences to the bereaved families, Mehbooba said in a tweet.
BJP leader and former legislator Devender Singh Rana expressed anguish over the terror ambush on a police vehicle near Zewan in Srinagar, saying such barbaric acts were highly reprehensible.
“My heart goes to the families, who have lost their valiant sons in the dastardly act”, Rana, currently on a two-day visit to the border district of Rajouri, said in a message, adding that terrorism has no place in a civilized world and those indulging in such barbaric acts were the enemies of humanity.
Rana conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for peace to the departed souls and strength to their relatives and friends to bear this irreparable loss.
The BJP leader also wished speedy recovery to the valiant injured personnel and prayed for their well-being. He expressed solidarity with their families.
The BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir unit spokesman Altaf Thakur said the attack reflects the frustration on the part of militants as they choose darkness to target the police bus.
He expressed deep condolences on the death of two policemen.
The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) condemned the attack as an mindless and inhuman act .
The party said the security situation has deteriorated to a largest extent and the government must take measures to contain loss of lives.
Peoples Conference led by Sajad Lone also condemned the attack.
Terrible sad news. We unreservedly condemn the terrorist attack on @JmuKmrPolice personnel in Zewan today. Deepest condolences to the families of deceased. Join us in praying for speedy recovery to the injured, the PC wrote on Twitter.
According to police statement, terrorists fired indiscriminately upon a police vehicle near Zewan Pantha Chowk area of Srinagar. Senior police officers along with reinforcement reached at the terror crime spot.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that three terrorists had fired indiscriminately upon a police vehicle carrying police personnel of 9th Battalion near Zewan Pantha Chowk area of Srinagar. The said police party were coming back to their campus after finishing their duties. Although the fire was retaliated however taking advantage of darkness the terrorists managed to escape from the spot. In this terror incident 14 police personnel were injured and were shifted to hospital for treatment. Among the injured personnel, ASI Ghulam Hassan & SgCT Safique Ali succumbed to their injuries and attained martyrdom, whereas the condition of other injured personnel is stated to be stable.
IGP Kashmir on behalf of Police Parivaar has paid rich tributes to these martyrs, who laid down their lives in the line of duty. He further said that the credible sources revealed that the attack was carried by Kashmir Tigers, an offshoot of JeM. In the retaliatory firing, one of the terrorists got injured and the group involved in this gruesome terrorist attack will be soon brought to justice, states the police.
Police has registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law and officers continue to work to establish the circumstances which lead to this terror crime. Area has been cordoned off and search in the area is going on, adds the police statement.