Militants behead J&K cop

Even before the Mendhar wounds could be healed, militants beheaded a policeman in a gruesome manner in the Handwara jungles of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Saturday.

Police said head constable Sonaullah Zargar of Hardoona-Vilgam village had gone to nearby jungles along with his wife to collect firewood when they were intercepted by the militants who later killed Sonaullah by silting open his throat.

Superintendent of police, Handwara, Mohammad Aslam told dna that Sonaullah was posted in Srinagar and had come home on a leave on Friday. “He and his wife had gone to collect firewood in the jungles. Militants took away Sonaullah and beheaded him,” Aslam said.

Militants later threw his body and severed head in the jungles. “We have recovered both body and the head,” said the SP.

Police is banking on the wife of the slain cop to gather more details about the incident. “His wife is in a deep shock and unable to speak. We would get more information about the incident once his wife is able to speak,” said Aslam.

The incident has occurred seven months after Pakistan troops crossed the Line of Control in Mendhar sector of Poonch district and beheaded Lance Naik Hemraj and badly severed head of Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh of 13 Rajputana Rifles.