Terrorists sent a chilling reminder to Mehbooba Mufti government on Monday when they attacked a Jammu and Kashmir Bank cash van and killed seven people, including five cops and two employees, besides looting their weapons at Pumai village of South Kashmir's Kulgam district.
Hizb-ul-Mujhadeen claimed the responsibility for the attack. Hizbul operational spokesperson Burhanuddin told local news agencies that the attack was carried out by a special squad of the outfit.
The incident occurred when a cash van was going towards Kulgam after distributing cash in Shopian district of south Kashmir. Terrorists hiding near Pumai fired indiscriminately on the van, killing all the five cops including assistant sub-inspector and two bank employees on the spot.
They later decamped with cops' four Self Loading Riffle (SLRs).
Deputy Inspector General of Police, South Kashmir Range, SP Pani told DNA that there was no cash in the vehicle when it was attacked. "The van had already distributed the cash when it was attacked. Terrorists fired at the vehicle and killed our men. It was an organised attack and culprits will be dealt with sternly," he said.
Sources said after killing the cops and bank employees, terrorists opened the van and searched for cash. Not finding any cash, they looted four SLRs before escaping from the scene. Locals said it was the villagers who first reached the spot and took the injured to hospital where doctors declared them brought dead.
Security forces have vowed to avenge the killings of cops and bank employees. "We have so far exercised utmost restraint. But we will not take the killings of our men lightly," said Pani.
The slain policemen have been identified as Ishfaq Ahmed Hajam, Muzaffar Ahmed Bhat, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Bashir Ahmed Dar, Muhammad Qasim Khan and Farooq Ahmed. Slain Assistant Sub-Inspector Bashir Ahmed was set to retire from services soon. The two bank guards have been identified as Javaid Ahmad Bhat and Muzaffar Ahmad Laway.
SECOND IN 24 HOURS
- Monday's terror attack is the third major attack since Thursday and second in the last 24 hours in the Kashmir valley. On Sunday, terrorists hurled a powerful grenade on the police party leaving one civilian dead and six others including five cops injured in Khanyar area of sensitive old Srinagar city.
- On Thursday, a group of heavily armed foreign fidayeens stormed into the highly fortified army garrison and launched an Uri-style attack leaving three soldiers including an officer dead and five others injured at Panzgam village near the Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir's Kupwara district on Thursday. Two militants were gunned down while the third fidayeen managed to escape after suffering injuries in the 35 minute long counter militant operation.
- On Friday Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) soldiers foiled a major bid of terrorists to rob Jammu and Kashmir bank and snatch their weapon when they overpowered one of the attackers despite being hit by the bullet at Anantnag in south Kashmir.
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