Srinagar, March 2
In the first major attack on the state police force this year, militants today shot dead two policemen from point-blank range in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. The Hizbul Mujahideen and Jamiat-ul Mujahideen have claimed the responsibility for the attack.

Constable Santosh Kumar Singh (26) of Kathua and Constable Azad Chand (27) of Udhampur were killed at 11.10 am near Handwara’s old bus stand. Both had joined the department in 2009.

“The duo, belonging to the Indian Reserve Police (IRP), was on duty when pistol-borne militants gunned them down from a point-blank range,” SP Handwara, Mohammad Aslam said. “The two were rushed to a hospital where doctors declared them brought dead.”

Police sources said two to three militants were involved in the attack. The assailants reportedly disembarked from a vehicle near the old bus stand and opened fire simultaneously at the constables, who were not carrying their rifles. They sped away in the same vehicle after the attack.

“The policemen could not retaliate as they were not carrying arms. The two were hit on head,” he said.

Panic spread in the area after the shooting as shopkeepers downed their shutters. Security forces cordoned off the area immediately and launched a manhunt for the assailants. Senior police officials, including IG SM Sahai, DIG Rajesh Kumar, also reached Handwara to review the situation.

“More attacks are now being carried out on the J&K Police. We are being targeted and it shows that the police is active and successful. But this success comes at a heavy price,” said IG Sahai.

General Officer Commanding of Srinagar-based Chinar Corps Lt Gen Om Prakash and senior Army officials, including the GOC of Kilo Force Major General Sarath Chand, were attending a function, barely half-a-kilometre from the spot where the two policemen were killed.

Saturday’s strike is the first major attack on the police this year. In November 2012, a Personal Security Official of a ruling National Conference leader Mushtaq Ahmad Mala was shot dead in Baramulla town.