2 cops killed in Pulwama attack; 8 CRPF men hurt

SRINAGAR: In a daring attack on a security post in south Kashmir’s Pulwama town, suspected militants on Tuesday killed two policemen and injured a third. The attackers fled with two service rifles belonging to the slain policemen after the incident at the district court complex. Militants also targeted a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) picket in Anantnag, injuring eight troopers.

The attacks dovetail with speculation that the suspension of counter-insurgency operations in the valley during the Islamic fasting month of Ramzan will be extended. After concluding a recent two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Union home minister Rajnath Singh said a decision on extending the suspension will be taken after a review of the situation in the valley.

State government officials were upbeat about the possibility of an extension of the so-called unilateral ceasefire.

The militants targeted the guard post in the court complex in Pulwama at first light, injuring three policemen, two of whom died later, a police spokesman said.the slain men were identified as Ghulam Rasool and Ghulam Hassan, residents of Baramulla and Kupwara districts. The injured policeman, Manzoor Ahmad, was hospitalised.

Mohammad Aslam, the superintendent of police in Pulwama, said the attack was suspected to be the handiwork of the Jaish-emohammad militant group.

“The court complex is located close to the Degree College complex. It’s a huge area and there were not many policemen present ...when the militants targeted it,’’ he said

“We have identified the militants and registered a case,’’ the police officer added.

SP PULWAMA SAID THE ATTACK APPEARED TO BE A HANDIWORK OF MILITANT GROUP JAISHEMOHAMMAD