Two policemen were killed when militants fired upon them inside SMHS hospital here on Tuesday. The militants managed to secure the release of an arrested Lashkar-e-Toiba commander, brought for medical check-up to the hospital.
The militant who fled was identified as Naveed alias Abu Hanzalah of Multan, Pakistan. The incident is seen as a ‘major setback’ for the police as the militant’s arrest had been declared as “big catch” by the government forces in 2014.
“Naveed was a close aide of slain Lashkar-e-Toiba commander Abu Qasim and was LeT’s deputy chief at the time of his arrest. He had infiltrated into this part of Kashmir in 2012 and had been operating in south Kashmir areas,” said a source in police.
A source in the SMHS hospital said the incident happened at around 11:30 a.m, when six prisoners including Naveed were brought to the hospital for check-up from Central Jail Srinagar. “We heard gun-shots and saw people running for cover,” he said.
A police source said that two policemen, accompanying the prisoners, were found hit by bullets. They were immediately rushed to an operation theatre of the same hospital. Head constable Mushtaq Ahmed died a few minutes after being hit while his colleague constable Babar succumbed to the injuries in the operation theatre after an hour.
The source said that firing shots created panic in the hospital. “Militants, including Naveed, took advantage of the chaos and managed to flee,” he added.
Deputy inspector general of police central Kashmir range, Ghulam Hassan Bhat, while talking to the reporters said that six prisoners were brought from the Central Jail to SMHS hospital for a check-up. “Militants who were already inside the hospital fired at the two policemen from a close range,” he said. “During the firing, one of the prisoners managed to flee.”
The DIG denied reports that Naveed fled with the rifle of the slain cop. “No rifle snatching took place,” he said. He, however, said that Naveed was involved in many cases. He said alert has been sounded in various areas where police feel the Lashkar militant may have taken refuge.
DG prisons orders inquiry:
The director general prisons has ordered a probe into the incident.
In a statement a spokesman of the Prisons department said that six prisoners, Seerat-ul-Islam of Malarata, Srinagar, Abdul Ahad Rather of Tarzoo, Sopore, Muhammad Naveed of Multan, Pakistan, Muhammad Khalil Najar of Goos, Satapora, Arif Ahmed Sheikh of Parimpora, Srinagar, and Bashir Ahmed of Baramulla were brought to the SMHS hospital Srinagar for a medical check-up. “One nursing orderly from Central Jail Srinagar accompanied the prisoners with medical records. The escort party was deputed by the police from District Police Lines,” it said.
“It was reported by the police station Karan Nagar that militants fired on the police escort party. One prisoner managed to escape from the custody,” the statement said.
An “internal inquiry” will be conducted by deputy inspector general prisons, who will submit his report soon, it added.
‘Security Lapse:’
A senior police officer said a prisoner fleeing from the custody is always a serious matter. “We lost two policemen in the incident. An in-house inquiry will be initiated to find out any possible lapses,” he said.
“One thing has to be inquired as to how did the militants knew the timing about medical check-up of Naveed. How did they reach the exact place where Naveed and other prisoners were waiting for the check-up? These things need to be inquired thoroughly,” he added.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah and working president Omar Abdullah have condemned the attack, expressing sympathies with the families of the killed policemen.
Mehbooba Mufti in her message described the incident as an act of cowardice which ought to be condemned by one and all.
She conveyed her sympathies to the bereaved families of the two policemen.
Dr Nirmal Singh said that these types of acts should be condemned by every section of society. He also expressed solidarity with the bereaved families.
Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah paid tributes to the slain policemen and extended their heartfelt condolences to their families and colleagues. “Their sacrifice won’t go in vain,” they said.