Pulwama: Two days after three cops were shot dead in Srinagar, militants on Wednesday killed a policeman at Monghama village of Pulwama district while PSO of a National Conference leader and former legislator also sustained minor injuries in the militant attack. The militants also snatched service rifle of injured PSO.
Official sources told news agency GNS that militants appeared near the house of an NC activist, Abdul Rahim, at Monghoma this late afternoon where another NC District President and former MLA Rajpora, Ghulam Mohiuddin Mir had gone to attend the marriage function of Rahim’s daughter.
The NC leader had come in his WagonR vehicle bearing registration number JK13B 9600 and at the time of attack he was inside the house but the car was parked outside. The sources said that the two PSOs of NC leader, one of whom was identified as Shabir Ahmad, were inside the vehicle and in the meanwhile a cop namely Riyaz Ahmad (posted at DPL Pulwama) also joined them.
Sources said the Riyaz was the cousin of the bride and was there to attend the marriage ceremony. “As they were talking to each other three militants appeared near the vehicle and resorted to firing,” they said, adding that the Riyaz was critically injured and was rushed to hospital. Later he succumbed at SMHS Hospital in Srinagar. The PSO Shabir however sustained minor injuries but militants fled away with his rifle.
Soon after the attack, large contingents of police, CRPF and army rushed to the spot and cordoned off entire area. The forces launched massive searches and also questioned several people. Sources said the PSO Shabir is also being questioned by the police. The NC leader and former legislator told that he was inside the house when attack to place.
“I was having food when the firing took place. And when we came out we saw policeman in pool of blood and my PSO was also injured,” he said and alleged that the Pulwama Police had not provided him enough security cover. “Despite various requests, we are not being provided with additional security cover. They know how much sensitive is Pulwama but due to reasons known to them we are being provided insufficient security,” he said.
SP Pulwama, Rayees Bhat, said soon after the attack they launched manhunt to nab the attackers. He said wherever they receive any kind of information about the militants the search and cordon operation is launched.
