J&K: Gone to Work in Paddy Field, Policeman Shot Dead in Pulwama

Srinagar: Suspected militants shot dead a policeman in Samboora village of Pulwama in what was seen as part of series of ‘targeted killings’ in Kashmir that have stoked fears of renewed violence in the region.

The policeman was identified as Farooq Ahmad Mir, a sub-inspector posted in IRP 23rd Battallion of the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Farooq, who was wearing shalwar-kameez was found in a paddy field close to his home, according to police, in Pulwama around midnight.

A spokesperson of the Kashmir Police Zone said that Mir left his home on Friday after returning from police duty to work in the fields. When he did not return and did not answer repeated calls, his family went out to look for him along with some neighbours.

Mir is survived by an aged father, two daughters, the elder one is studying MBBS and younger daughter is studying in class 12th. His son is studying in class 7th.

Local residents later found his bullet-ridden body. He was shot from a close range by armed assailants using a pistol. Mir’s wreath laying ceremony was held on Saturday in Pulwama area which was attended by his family and other senior police officials.

This is the second such killing since last month of a policeman in the district after another cop Reyaz Ahmad Thoker was killed on May 13 near his residence in Gadoora village. The police, however, earlier last week claimed that they killed the militants affiliated with the Lashkar e Toiba (LeT) outfit involved in Thoker’s killing.

A series of ‘targeted killings’ has swept Kashmir valley in which as many as 20 policemen and civilians, including members of the panchayat, non-local labourers, members of the minority community, were also targeted.

The killings are being reported despite heightened security measures and increased military operations in which over 100 militants were killed in separate incidents across the region. A security official told NewsClick that over a dozen young recruits have reportedly gone active since May, of which some have been “eliminated” so far.

There are also apprehensions amongst the security network that such ‘targeted killings’ are likely to continue as a huge cache of pistols have been pushed into the valley, especially in Srinagar and central Kashmir areas – around which Pulwama is located strategically. 

The killing of Mir drew condemnation from political parties – many of whom accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government of “mishandling” Kashmir which has been marred by what many termed as “renewed violence” in the aftermath of abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A in 2019.

“Terror hits J&K again, Cops shot dead in Pulwama. When will PM Modi break his silence on the afflicting situation in the valley again? Mere endorsement of a film for political gains will not solve the cause. Start acting now,” a spokesperson of Youth Congress said.

Condemning the incident, the Altaf Bukhari-led J&K Apni Party expressed condolences to the family of Mir.

“We condemn this inhumane and barbaric act. Our prayers for peace to the departed soul,” the party spokesperson said.