Policeman Killed in Brief Shootout in Soura; One Attacker Identified, Says IGP

The IGP said that the trio was headed by one Basit, who has taken over LeT’s command after Mehran’s killing.

SRINAGAR — A cop was killed in a brief shootout between militants and joint forces in Srinagar outskirts on Tuesday.

Reports said that there was an exchange of fire between militants and joint forces in which a cop present in a red color vehicle (JK01AM 1153) suffered injuries.

The constable who is posted at police station Kothibagh suffered multiple bullet injuries and succumbed at SKIMS.

Police said that a militant has also been injured in the shootout who escaped from the spot. “The area has been cordoned off to track down the injured militant,” police said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP ) Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that the militants who were engaged in a brief shoot-out at Soura were identified and are being tracked.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the wreath-laying ceremony of slain cop Amir Hussain, who was PSO to SDPO Kothibagh, the IGP Kashmir said that police had information about the movement of three Lashkar-e-Toiba militants. “A Quick Reaction Team (QRT) of police was following the three militants who were travelling in a red colour vehicle. They were engaged in a brief shoot-out at Soura in which policeman sustained injury who later succumbed,” he said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer. The IGP said that the trio was headed by one Basit, who has taken over LeT’s command after Mehran’s killing. “Two others have also been identified. They are being tracked down,” he said.

Asked whether the same group was involved in the recent killings in the south Kashmir areas, he said it seems the same group is involved.