J&K: Retired senior cop shot dead inside mosque by terrorists
What's the story
A retired senior police officer was shot dead by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district on Sunday morning, the police said. According to reports, the terrorists opened fire at Mohammad Shafi Mir, a retired senior superintendent of police (SSP) of the J&K Police, when he was reciting Azan (prayer call) at a mosque in the Gantamulla area of the district.
Details
No terror organization claimed responsibility for attack
The Kashmir Zone Police confirmed the incident on X, saying, "Terrorists fired upon [Mir], a retired police officer at Gantmulla, Sheeri, Baramulla, while praying Azan in the mosque and succumbed to injuries (sic)." Soon after the incident, the J&K Police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to nab the terrorists. So far, no terror organization has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Twitter Post
Kashmir Zone Police confirmed on X
#Terrorists fired upon Shri Mohd Shafi, a retired police officer at Gantmulla, Sheeri #Baramulla, while praying Azan in the mosque and succumbed to injuries. Area has been #cordoned off. Further details awaited.@JmuKmrPolice
— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) December 24, 2023
Attacks
3rd such attack in 2 months in Kashmir
This is the third such incident targeting cops in Kashmir in less than two months. In December, terrorists shot at and injured Mohammad Hafiz Chad, a police constable, in Srinagar. In October, another cop, Masroor Ahmad Wani, was attacked outside his residence in Srinagar's Eidgah while playing cricket. He later succumbed to his injuries at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi.
Encounter
5 soldiers killed in ambush by terrorists in Poonch
Sunday's incident came days after five soldiers were killed in an ambush attack by terrorists in J&K's Poonch near the Line of Control (LoC) on Thursday. An operation is still on to flush out the terrorists. Meanwhile, the Indian Army said on Saturday that it was investigating the death of three civilians, who were reportedly killed in the crossfire during the Thursday encounter.