Srinagar SSP targeted to demoralise cops 8211; officials

SRINAGAR, NOV 24: The recent attack on SSP Baramulla on Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway is believed to have been aimed at demoralising the police force as the latter had begun its counter-offensive against the militants in the Valley. The security agencies are apprehending that militants may again attempt to target the police to keep the force at bay.

The highway attack came close on the heels of three major operations against militants, jointly conducted by Baramulla police and the security forces in the district. Dilbagh Singh, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Baramulla-Kupwara Range, said, 8220;Such attacks are on expected lines as police have launched an offensive against the militants in north Kashmir. In most of these operations, launched jointly by the police and security forces, it is the police that easily get a tip-off about the presence of militants,8221; Singh said.

A police official said the attack on SSP Abdul Qayooom Manhas might be a reprisal of the recent operations in Sangrama and Panzipora, where some top Lashkar militants were killed in joint operations of police and security forces.

Earlier, militants had killed an assistant sub-inspector of Special Operation Group and another cop on November 5 at Wagoora. The policemen were killed when militants stormed an examination centre. The slain were part of the SOG Panzla Camp.

Singh said that the Al-Badr militants were involved in Saturday8217;s attack on Baramulla SSP. 8220;They were looking for me as the militants were asked by their mentors to repeat the Vaid incident. It was a matter of minutes,quot; he futher said.