Ten policemen have been killed so far this year in different militancy-related incidents in Kashmir Valley. Three cops have been killed in different encounters between militants and joint forces while a cop has lost his life in a grenade attack.
The data available with the news agency Kashmir News Trust reveals that six policemen this year have been killed in militant attacks as well.
Two cops died in January, one in February, two in March, three in May, and one each in June and July.
No casualty was reported in April this year.
Besides the killing of ten cops, several policemen sustained injuries in militant attacks.
On 12 January this year, a Pakistani militant Babar Bhai, and a policeman Rohit Chib were killed in Pariwan encounter in South Kashmir’s Kulgam.
On 29 January a policeman Ali Muhammad Ganai posted in South Kashmir’s Kulgam was shot dead by militants in his native Hasanpora Bijbehara village. On the same day, Policeman Muneer Mehraj escaped unhurt after a militant fired upon him in SDA Colony Batamaloo Srinagar.
On 1st February a police officer (ASI) Shabir Ahmed Wagay was shot at and injured in Amshipora village of South Kashmir’s Shopian while on 11 February a cop (Driver) Zubair Ahmed of Papachen was killed after militants hurled a grenade at Nishat Park in North Kashmir’s Bandipora. A BSF officer and 3 other cops sustained injuries in the said attack.
On 28 February a police officer Sheikh Firdous (ACB) was injured after militants fired upon him at the Dhobi Mohalla Batamaloo area of Srinagar.
On 22 March Selection Grade Constable Amir Hussain Lone of Kupwara was killed in a brief shootout in Soura Srinagar. On the same month on 26th, SPO Ishfaq Ahmed Dar was killed after militants fired upon him at his house in Central Kashmir’s Chadbugh village of Budgam. In the said attack, the brother of the SPO, identified as Umar Jan was also killed.
On 24 May, militants shot dead a cop Saifullah Qadri at Anchar Soura area of Srinagar outskirts and the next day on 25 May three militants from Pakistan Hanief Bhai, Ali Bhai, and Shah Wali and a cop Mudasir Sheikh from Uri were killed in Kreeri Baramulla encounter.
On 18 June, a bullet-riddled body of Sub Inspector Farooq Ahmed Mir, shot dead by militants in Samboora Pampore was recovered by locals.
On 3 July militants shot at a cop Firdous Ahmed who was injured in the attack at Hugam Sri Gufwara area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
On 12 July militants attacked a police party in Lal Bazar area of Srinagar killing ASI Mushtaq Ahmed of Soch village of Kulgam and injuring two other cops. (KNT)