Srinagar: A youth was killed when Indian armed forces opened fire on protestors in Srinagar on Thursday evening when the forces were retreating from Rangreth area while two cops of Jammu and Kashmir police were critically injured when suspected militants attacked a patrol party at Hyderpora.
One of the cops succumbed to his injuries later.
The slain civilian and the dead cop are resident of Ashtangoo village in Bandipora district and area neighbours. The two firing incidents took place not more than one kilometre away from each other.
Yesterday, around 3 in the day, armed personnel of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) were leaving Rangreth area in south of Srinagar.
“The vehicles of the SSB came under stone pelting attack,” an eye witness said. “It was in rage that the SSB men opened the door of their vehicle and fired upon the civilian protestors,” he added.
One of the youth was hit by bullet in his chest. The people of the area rushed him to JVC Medical College Bemina wherefrom he was referred to SKIMS Soura for advanced treatment.
He was identified as Naseer Ahmad Sheikh aka Judge. He was working as salesman at a shop in Rangreth.
Naseer’s body has been brought to his native village around Sehri (pre-dawn meals) on Friday where his funeral prayers will be held later in the day.
A resident of Hyderpora told the FeePressKashmir that when call for Tarawaeeh (special prayers during Ramzan) was being made on Thursday late evening, “we heard some gun shots near main Jamia Masjid”.
“And soon many vehicles carrying police personnel reached the spot,” he said.
A police party remains stationed near Jamia Masjid Hyderpora. “The party was attacked by the suspected militants leaving two cops critically injured,” a police official said.
“It seemed a hit and run case,” he added.
It was second attack on personnel of J&K Police in the day. Earlier, one cop – who was associated with Special Operations Group of JKP – was killed just outside his home in Bogund area of Kulgam. However, he was off from his duties that day.
The injured cops were rushed to Indian Army’s 92 base hospital in Badamibagh where one of the cops died.
He was identified as Shahzad Dilawar Sofi who was in his early thirties.
Shahzad too is native of Ashtangoo, Bandipora.
A close family relative of Shahzad told the FreePressKashmir that he was married in November 2015. He is father of twin sons: Shadaan, Sadaan, who are just months old.
“Shahzad’s father died when he was a child,” he said.
He is survived by mother, wife, two sons and a brother who too is married.
Funeral of slain JKP cop: Shabir Ahmad Dar in his native village Bogund Kulgam on June 15, 2017. (FPK Photo: Shah Hilal)
The relative of Shahzad said that he was home some days ago during the ongoing holy Ramzan. “Shahzad was hopeful to watch final match of ongoing Champions Trophy at his home amongst his family members,” he added.
The final match of Champions Trophy is being played on Sunday.
The dead body of Shahzad lies in Police Control Room (PCR) Srinagar where a guard of honour ceremony shall be held before being shifted to his native village for final rites.
Not much details about the another injured cop were available. Initial reports said that he is a resident of Kupwara district and is recovering in the Army hospital Srinagar.
In south of Srinagar, the unidentified gunmen struck again this time targeting a woman in Kulgam district late yesterday evening.
The incident took place in Katrasoo village of the district when Suraya, daughter of Muhammad Sharif Bhat was injured by bullet shots.
Suraya was fired upon at her home. “The gun men forced their entry in to her home and shot a bullet in her leg,” a police official said.
She was rushed to District Hospital Kulgam for treatment but doctors referred her to SMHS hospital in Srinagar for advanced treatment.
However, she is stable, doctors in Kulgam said.
Suraya is wife of slain civilian who was killed in alleged Indian armed forces action when people tried to help militants escape an encounter site in Frisal village of the district early this year.
The slain civilian was identified as Ishaq alias Aashiq Reshi, son of Abdul Majid Reshi.
The encounter resulted in death of a militant who killed two Indian army soldiers. Three of the four Hizb ul Mujahideen militants were staying in a house when Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched in Frisal area in February this year.
However, people disrupted the military operation and three militants succeeded in fleeing the encounter site.
The house was blown up by the forces. It was a 16-hour-long gun battle.
(This story was updated from time to time.)
