In a first major strike by separatist guerrillas after the Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP coalition government took office in Jammu and Kashmir, a group of unidentified terrorists attacked a police party in the Srinagar city, killing three policemen on Monday.
Militants hit two police posts in Srinagar on Monday morning and shot at least three policemen dead.
Extremists shot the two cops from close range at the Mill Stop in Zadibal area that connects the city to the Hazratbal Shrine and a hospital in Soura, a police official said.
The two cops died on the spot, he said, adding the deceased have been identified as Assistant Sub Inspector Ghulam Mohammad and Head Constable Nazir Ahmad.
The Hizbul Mujahideen has claimed the responsibility of the twin attack in Jammu and Kashmir. It has also warned of more attacks.
This is first such major strike in the city in nearly three years. The last such attack took place on June 22, 2013 when two policemen were shot dead at Hari Singh High Street.
The incident comes two days after an encounter with militants in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, in which a soldier was killed. Security forces said that five militants were killed and two soldiers were wounded in a fierce gun battle in Drugmulla.
Thousands of people participated in the funeral of the five dead militants – a sign of growing restlessness in the Valley, expert say.
Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir have witnessed a steep fall in militancy in recent years as compared to the troubled 90s with booming tourism and greater participation in elections.
But recent months have seen a rise in violence across the Valley and thousands of people turning up at funerals of dead militants. Last month, the alleged molestation of a girl in north Kashmir’s Handwara sparked violent demonstrations across the Valley after several protesters were killed in police firing.
