Srinagar: Three policemen were abducted from their homes in south Kashmir’s Shopian district and shot dead in cold blood by the Hizbul Mujahideen on Friday, police said as a new page opened up in the three-decade chapter of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Hizbul Mujahideen is believed to be responsible for the killings, which also shook the 1.2 lakh strong Jammu and Kashmir police force with at least six special police officers (SPOs) announcing their resignations on social media, officials said. The bodies of the slain policemen — identified as constable Nissar Ahmed and special police officers Firdous Ahmed and Kulwant Singh — were found in an orchard across a river, they said.
A video purportedly from the Hizbul Mujahideen had warned all Kashmiri residents working as SPOs to tender their resignations. Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) Swayam Prakash Pani termed the incident cowardice and said “the militants are desperate as they are feeling the heat from security forces”.
“We have lost three of our brave colleagues in a barbaric terror strike. Our tribute to the three martyred jawans. We will soon bring all the culprits before law,” he added.
The three policemen were kidnapped early on Friday morning from their homes at Batagund and Kapran villages, police said. The residents of Batagund village chased the terrorists and pleaded with them to not abduct the men. The abductors fired shots in the air and threatened the villagers, officials said.
The terrorists crossed a river in the area and shot them dead, the officials added. A post on a Twitter handle purportedly belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen group claimed responsibility for the incident. Security agencies also believe that Hizb militants are behind the killings. (PTI)
