Islamic State claims responsibility for killing policeman in Srinagar

Alarm bells are ringing in Kashmir after the radical Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the killing of a policeman in Srinagar on Sunday

Jammu and Kashmir Police however played safe saying they are investigating the case and not sure about the claims made by Islamic State.

Amaq News Agency of the Islamic State claimed that they assassinated the policeman in Srinagar. Militants had attacked the police guard at the residence of moderate Hurriyat Conference leader Fazal Haq Qureshi at Bilal Colony Soura in Srinagar outskirts on Sunday evening.  

Constable Farooq Ahmad was grievously injured in the attack and was immediately rushed to the hospital where he succumbed. A rifle was also snatched by the militants before fleeing from the spot.

Qureshi, who heads the People’s Political Front (PPF) which is a constituent of moderate Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was left paralysed after he was shot at by militants in December 2009 . 

Qureshi had played a key role in the negotiations after Hizb-ul-Mujhadeen announced a truce in 2000 which however was withdrawn after 14 days. Qureshi was appointed interlocutor by the then Hizb operation commander Abdul Majid Dar. Qureshi led the team of Hizb commanders to meet the then union home secretary.

Director General of Police, SP Vaid told DNA that they are not very sure about the claims. “I do not know about this claim. We are still investigating the case. We are still not very clear who has attacked”, he said.

This is the second time when IS has claimed responsibility for any attack since November last year. 

Amaq News Agency of Islamic State had claimed that they carried the attack in Zakura area of Srinagar on November 17. A police sub inspector was killed and an SPO was injured in the attack.  In the retaliatory action one militant Mugees Ahmad Mir was killed and another captured by the security forces.

Last month Union Home Minister of State, Hansraj Ahir told Rajya Sabha :“As per the report, nothing has been approved on the ground that ISIS is operating in any part of the Kashmir valley.”