Kashmir: Militants kill two constables, take weapons

The police claimed to have achieved a breakthrough in one of the shootings and seized the vehicle used by the militants.

A POLICEMAN guarding the Sufi shrine in Chrar-e-Sharif in Budgam and another guarding Hurriyat leader Fazal Haq Qureshi were shot dead by militants in separate incidents on Sunday. The militants also snatched the weapons of the policemen.

The police claimed to have achieved a breakthrough in one of the shootings and seized the vehicle used by the militants. “Two policemen have been martyred,” IGP, Kashmir, S P Pani told The Indian Express. “Two weapons have also been snatched.”

Suspected militants fired at police constable Kultar Singh at Chrar-e-Sharif and escaped with his rifle. The policeman was rushed to hospital where he died. Hours later, militants struck about 40 km away, at Soura in Srinagar. Constable Farooq Ahmad, guarding moderate Hurriyat leader Fazal Haq Qureshi’s house, was shot dead and his rifle taken away.

Confirming the attacks, IGP Pani said, “In case of the Budgam (shooting), we have achieved a breakthrough. We have seized the vehicle in which they (militants) came. The vehicle had come from Pulwama.” He said the two attacks did not appear to be related.

Police sources said the attacks were aimed at snatching rifles.

Bashaarat Masood

Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. Expertise and Experience Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development. Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor. Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans: Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance. Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population. Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley. Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More

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