Pulwama/Kulgam, July 3: Two policemen were shot dead by suspected militants in two separate attacks at busy markets in Pulwama and Kulgam districts of South Kashmir on Tuesday. The assailants also decamped with the service rifle of one of the cops.
Police sources said that the two constables, Dalbir Singh of Chandoosa Baramulla and Mukhtar Ahmad Bhat of Dialgam Islamabad (Anantnag), were killed when some unidentified gunmen, suspected to be militants, shot at them at close range while the duo was on duty.
“Dalbir Singh was posted at Police Lines Pulwama; however he was regulating traffic at the busy Rajpora Chowk when a pistol wielding person fired at him from a very close range at around 3 PM, injuring him critically,” sources said.
They said that the constable was immediately rushed to SMHS Hospital for treatment; however he succumbed to his injuries there.
“Soon after the incident police launched a massive search operation to nab the assailants, however taking advantage of the panic the assailants fled from the spot,” a police official said.
Barely three hours after the shootout at Pulwama, unidentified gunmen again stuck at Yaripora area of Kulgam district killing another police constable. The assailants also snatched the service rifle of the constable.
“The constable was on duty when unidentified persons shot at him from a close range at his head resulting into his death on the spot,” sources said. They said that Mukhtar was posted at Yaripora Police Station.
“The assailants ran away with the AK-47 Rifle of the constable,” sources added.
Panic gripped the entire area as shopkeepers downed their shutters and traffic came to a halt. Police has launched a massive search operation to nab the assailants.
The incident happened barely 15 minutes after Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand left the area after addressing a public meeting in Nuniwai village of Yaripora.
“Deputy CM’s cavalcade passed Yaripora area minutes before the incident,” sources said.
Police has registered cases in both incidents and further investigations are on. No militant outfit has so far claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Superintendent of Police, Kulgam, Muhammad Shafi Mir said that the attack in Yaripora was the handiwork of militants.
“There is no doubt that militants are behind the attack. We have launched a massive manhunt to nab the militants and hopefully we will get hold of them soon,” he said.
However, he said that the cavalcade of Deputy CM had left the place more than an hour before the incident and the police constable was on routine duty.
Superintendent of Police, Pulwama, Amit Kumar could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

CM CONDEMNS:
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has condemned the killings, describing the act as coward and inhuman.
The Chief Minister conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved families and prayed for peace to the departed souls.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 3 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 3 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 4 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST