In first terror attack in Valley since Pahalgam, policeman on Amarnath Yatra duty killed
Head Constable’s killing in Anantnag prompts massive security crackdown across Kashmir with nearly 2,500 “suspects” and alleged over ground workers picked up
In the first militant attack in Kashmir since the killing of tourists in Pahalgam last year, a policeman was shot dead in Anantnag Wednesday, prompting a massive crackdown by security forces.
Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, a resident of Budgam in Central Kashmir, who was posted with the Indian Reserve Police and attached with the Special Operations Group, was on Amarnath Yatra duty. The annual pilgrimage is currently suspended because of inclement weather.
Officials said a militant fired at Qureshi from point blank range near Lalchowk in Anantnag in South Kashmir on Wednesday afternoon. He succumbed to his injuries while being rushed to hospital, and was declared dead on arrival.
Qureshi is survived by his wife and three children.
Hours later, the Jammu and Kashmir Police detained hundreds of “suspects” and alleged overground workers as a “preventive and pro-active security measure”, and to identify networks aiding terrorist organisations. A search operation to trace the attackers has been launched across the Valley, with police and paramilitary reinforcements sent to the Anantnag area.
Over 2,500 youths have been picked up across the Valley, police officials said, including more than 700 from capital Srinagar, over 200 from Budgam, 178 people from Baramulla and over a hundred at Ganderbal, besides dozens from the four South Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama.
In an official release, the Srinagar police said: “The coordinated operations carried out on the basis of credible intelligence and as a part of ongoing investigation resulted in the detention of nearly 700 suspected over ground workers (OGWs) for questioning and verification in accordance with established legal procedures. The operations have been undertaken with the objective of identifying networks that provide logistical, financial, communication, transportation, shelter and other forms of support to terrorist organisations.”
The release said that the searches were meant to “gather evidence, identify suspects and prevent attempts by terrorist elements and their facilitators to carry out unlawful activities… The ongoing exercise also serves as a preventive measure to maintain public order, enhance security and deter anti-national elements from exploiting the prevailing situation.”
Similar releases were issued by police in the other districts as well.
The massive police response appears to be a reaction to the attack coinciding with the Amarnath Yatra, when security is on high alert and a large number of police, paramilitary forces and Army personnel are deployed.
Offering his condolences to the family of Qureshi, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said he had spoken to DGP Nalin Prabhat, who visited the site of the attack, and warned that “this heinous act will not go unpunished”. “The whole country stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the family of (the) martyr… J&K Police and our security forces are on the ground and will bring those responsible to justice,” he said.
Condemning the attack, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said: “HC (Head Constable) Hussain made the ultimate sacrifice in a cowardly terror attack… May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannat.”
Police have warned media outlets against circulating photographs and videos related to the terror incident. “Dissemination of any such material may hamper ongoing investigation, compromise public security and attract legal action under the relevant provisions of law,” it said.
In the first militant attack in Kashmir since the killing of tourists in Pahalgam last year, a policeman was shot dead in Anantnag Wednesday, prompting a massive crackdown by security forces.
Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, a resident of Budgam in Central Kashmir, who was posted with the Indian Reserve Police and attached with the Special Operations Group, was on Amarnath Yatra duty. The annual pilgrimage is currently suspended because of inclement weather.
Officials said a militant fired at Qureshi from point blank range near Lalchowk in Anantnag in South Kashmir on Wednesday afternoon. He succumbed to his injuries while being rushed to hospital, and was declared dead on arrival.
Qureshi is survived by his wife and three children.
Hours later, the Jammu and Kashmir Police detained hundreds of “suspects” and alleged overground workers as a “preventive and pro-active security measure”, and to identify networks aiding terrorist organisations. A search operation to trace the attackers has been launched across the Valley, with police and paramilitary reinforcements sent to the Anantnag area.
Over 2,500 youths have been picked up across the Valley, police officials said, including more than 700 from capital Srinagar, over 200 from Budgam, 178 people from Baramulla and over a hundred at Ganderbal, besides dozens from the four South Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama.
In an official release, the Srinagar police said: “The coordinated operations carried out on the basis of credible intelligence and as a part of ongoing investigation resulted in the detention of nearly 700 suspected over ground workers (OGWs) for questioning and verification in accordance with established legal procedures. The operations have been undertaken with the objective of identifying networks that provide logistical, financial, communication, transportation, shelter and other forms of support to terrorist organisations.”
The release said that the searches were meant to “gather evidence, identify suspects and prevent attempts by terrorist elements and their facilitators to carry out unlawful activities… The ongoing exercise also serves as a preventive measure to maintain public order, enhance security and deter anti-national elements from exploiting the prevailing situation.”
Similar releases were issued by police in the other districts as well.
The massive police response appears to be a reaction to the attack coinciding with the Amarnath Yatra, when security is on high alert and a large number of police, paramilitary forces and Army personnel are deployed.
Offering his condolences to the family of Qureshi, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said he had spoken to DGP Nalin Prabhat, who visited the site of the attack, and warned that “this heinous act will not go unpunished”. “The whole country stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the family of (the) martyr… J&K Police and our security forces are on the ground and will bring those responsible to justice,” he said.
Condemning the attack, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said: “HC (Head Constable) Hussain made the ultimate sacrifice in a cowardly terror attack… May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannat.”
Police have warned media outlets against circulating photographs and videos related to the terror incident. “Dissemination of any such material may hamper ongoing investigation, compromise public security and attract legal action under the relevant provisions of law,” it said.
