SRINAGAR, SEP 21 (PTK): Three policemen were abducted and killed by suspected Hizbul Mujahideen militants on Friday in Shopian district of south Kashmir, days after the militants threatened officers to either quit government jobs or face death. The incident has triggered fear among special police officers, forcing four to resign.
The bodies were recovered from an orchard in Wangam area, more than a kilometre from the village the policemen were abducted from.
They have been identified as constable Nissar Ahmed and two special police officers (SPOs) Firdous Ahmed and Kulwant Singh from Kapren and Heepora areas of Shopian district.
Nissar Ahmed was working with the armed police, Firdous Ahmed, who was under process of being converted to constable, served in the Railways. Kulwant Singh was posted with Kulgam police. The militants had also kidnapped brother of a police constable but he was released later.
Police suspect that militants of Hizbul Mujahideen are behind the abduction as they had threatened security forces and government employees in the state of dire consequences if they ‘don’t quit their jobs within four days’.
The two-minute video reportedly shows pictures of security forces and a Hizbul banner with a voice-over issuing the threat. The voice in the video is believed to be of spokesperson Umar Ibn Khitaab, whose name appears in English. The voice also said that a member of the group was “in the locality” with a message for the families of security forces.
A Twitter handle purportedly belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen group has claimed responsibility for the abduction and killing.
Meanwhile, soon after the incident, as many as ten cops from south Kashmir have resigned. They posted the videos on social media to announce their resignations.
Meanwhile, former J&K DGP SP Vaid has condoled the death of the policemen and condemned the ‘dastardly act’.
However taking to social networking site twitter Mehbooba wrote: “Three more policemen have lost their lives to militant bullets. Outrage, shock, and condemnation will be expressed by all of us on expected lines. Unfortunately, it brings no solace to the families of the victims.”
“Clearly, with the rise in kidnapping of police personnel and their families, Centre’s muscular policy is not working at all. Dialogue, the only way forward seems to be a distant dream for now,” Mehbooba added.
Meanwhile Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said the killers will be given severe punishment soon.
‘Do not inflate it,’ he said, adding that 20 militants were killed by security forces in different encounters recently, therefore, it was a frustration.
However the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said “these reports are based on false propaganda by mischievous elements.” (PTK)
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