J&K: Kashmir Tigers, offshoot of JeM, target police bus, 3 cops killed, many injured

Srinagar: One more policeman who was injured in the Zewan Srinagar attack on Monday evening succumbed to his injuries taking the toll in the attack to three, official sources said here on Tuesday.

Two policemen including an Assistant Sub Inspector and a Selection Grade Constable were killed and 12 others were injured when militants ambushed a police bus on the outskirts of Srinagar at Zewan.

"One more cop succumbed to his injuries taking the toll to three," they said.

Police said one of the attacker was also injured in retaliatory firing.

Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Vijay Kumar late on Friday said that the credible sources revealed that the attack was carried out by "Kashmir Tigers", an offshoot of Jaish-e-Mohammad.

“About 1800 hrs, terrorists fired indiscriminately upon a police vehicle near Zewan Pantha Chowk area of Srinagar… Preliminary investigation has revealed that three terrorists had fired indiscriminately upon a police vehicle carrying police personnel ..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,” a police spokesman said on Monday.

The Monday evening attack has sparked widespread condemnation with even Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking details of the ambush that left two cops dead and twelve injured.

J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said they are committed to ensure that perpetrators are punished.

“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." he tweeted. ".... Our police and security forces are determined to neutralize the evil forces of terrorism,” he said.

Mainstream parties condemned the attack.

Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, said the Government of India's “false narrative of normalcy in Kashmir stands exposed.”

“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,” she 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,” former chief minister Omar Abdullah tweeted.

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) J&K spokesman Altaf Thakur said the “act reflects frustration on part of militants as they choose darkness to target police bus.” He urged police top brass to identify the attackers and bring them to justice forthwith.

Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari termed the incident as the most reprehensible and heinous act where two precious lives were lost in cold blood.

The attack at Zewan took place hours after two militants one among them a suspected Pakistani affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba were killed in a brief shooting at Rangreth also on Srinagar outskirts. Police said it was a chance encounter. Police identified the two slain as Aadil Ahmad Wani a resident of Daramdoora Shopian and another a foreigner.

"Adil is a Pakistan trained “A” category terrorist while as another killed terrorist as per the credible sources is a foreign terrorist, yet same is being further ascertained," a police spokesman said.

Earlier a Personal Security Officer (PSO) of a BJP leader in frontier district of Kupwara has gone missing along with weapons, official sources said.

They said during the intervening night a Special Police Officer (SPO) Saqib Tantray, a resident of Bohipora deployed with BJP local leader Rashid Zargar as Personal Security Officer (PSO) fled away with two weapons from his residence.

“His another associate Arif Ahmad who too is a resident of Bohipora is also with him,” sources said. (Inputs from UNI)