Srinagar, Aug 29:Four policemen were killed in a joint attack carried out by militants of outfits Hizbul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday.
Reports said that the militants opened fire on an escort party of the DSP headquarters Shopian in Bongam area.
In the attack, four cops suffered bullet wounds and were rushed to a nearby hospital where they succumbed.
A police official identified the slain cops as constable Javid Ahmad Bhat son of Nazir Ahmad Bhat of Panzinara HMT Srinagar, constable Muhammad Iqbal Mir son of Abdul Rehman Mir of HudurChaman Baramulla, constable Ishfaq Ahmad Mir son Muhammad Malik Mir of Rafiabad Baramulla and SPO Adil Ahmad Bhat son Manzoor Ahmad Bhat of Zawoora Shopian.
“Police has registered a case and initiated investigations in the instant matter,” he said.
A police source said the bodied were shifted to District Police Lines, Shopian.
The escort party had gone to the area to repair a police vehicle when the attack took place.
Later, Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed the responsibility for the attack, saying that its cadres along with that of Hizbul Mujahideen carried out the attack that left four policemen dead.
In a statement issued to news agency GNS, JeM spokesman said that it was a joint attack by cadres of its outfit and that of Hizbul Mujahideen.
He said that the militants also decamped with three rifles of the policemen.
Later in the evening, a wreath-laying event was held in District Police Lines Shopian where tributes were paid to slain policemen.
“Civil and Police Officers led by Director General of Police J&K S P Vaid laid floral wreaths on the mortal remains and paid rich tributes to the slain, who made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty,” the police spokesman said.
“Among others who paid floral tributes including IGP Kashmir S.P Pani, DIG SKR, DC Shopian, ASP Shopian and other officers and cops,” he added.
