MHA Says No SPO Has Quit After 3 Cops Killed in J&K’s Shopian
A Twitter handle purportedly belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
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The Ministry of Home Affairs, on 21 September, has refuted claims of six police personnel, including SPOs and constables, from south Kashmir, resigning in the wake of killings in the valley, reported ANI.
Three policemen, including two Special Police Officers (SPOs) were abducted and killed by militants in South Kashmir's Shopian district on Friday, 21 September. A civilian, who was also abducted along with the three personnel, was set free. The abductions were made from the houses of the policemen in Kapran village.
The bodies were recovered from an orchard in Wangam area, more than a kilometre from the village the policemen were abducted from.
Police identified the dead as constable Nissar Ahmed and two special police officers – Firdous Ahmed and Kulwant Singh – from Kapren and Heepora areas of Shopian district.
A Twitter handle purportedly belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen group has claimed responsibility for the abduction and killing, according to PTI.
A wreath laying ceremony took place on Friday afternoon to mourn the slain police personnel.
SP Pani, the Inspector General of Police, Kashmir said that the act was cowardly and that action will be taken.
The Kashmir Zone Police also mourned their death, and in a tweet, said that the culprits would be ‘dealt under law’.
A major search operation had also started in Shopian after the bodies were found.
Police said the residents of Batagund village had chased the terrorists and urged them not to abduct the policemen, but the militants fired a few shots in the air and threatened the villagers. They said the terrorists crossed a river in the area and shot dead the policemen.
The terrorists had also kidnapped the brother of a police constable but he was released later.
Mehbooba Mufti Condemns Incident, Attacks Centre
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti took to Twitter and attacked the Centre over the incident.
"Three more policemen have lost their lives to militant bullets. Outrage, shock and condemnation will be expressed by all of us on expected lines. Unfortunately, it brings no solace to the families of the victims. Clearly, with the rise in kidnapping of police personnel and their families, centre's muscular policy is not working at all. Dialogue, the only way forward seems to be a distant dream for now," she wrote.
Relatives Of Policemen Abducted in Kashmir, Later Set Free
These abductions and killings come nearly three weeks after terrorists had abducted and released relatives of policemen from various places in south Kashmir.
At least eight people whose relatives worked in Jammu and Kashmir Police were abducted on the night of 30 August.
Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo had purportedly claimed responsibility for the abductions in a 12-minute video, issuing a three-day deadline for the release of all the relatives of terrorists who were in police custody.
The 30 August abductions happened after the NIA arrested the second son of globally-wanted terrorist Syed Salahuddin, leader of the Hizbul Mujahideen group. Salahuddin's son was arrested on charges of receiving secret funds.
(With inputs from PTI, Rising Kashmir)
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