SRINAGAR – A Jammu and Kashmir policeman was killed, while his nine-year-old daughter was injured in a militant attack in Srinagar on Tuesday, Police said.
Selection grade Constable Saifullah Qadri was shot at around 5 pm outside his home in Anchar area of Srinagar leaving him and his daughter injured.
“In the terror crime incident, Constable Qadri and his nine-year-old daughter received critical gunshot injuries and were immediately evacuated to nearby hospital for treatment. However, Qadri succumbed to his injuries and attained martyrdom. The condition of the other injured is stated to be stable,” a police spokesman said.
“Terrorists crossed all limits today as they did not even spare a nine-year-old girl,” Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Vijay Kumar told reporters on the sidelines of a wreath-laying function.
“What was the fault of his daughter who suffered injuries and is being treated at the hospital?” Kumar asked
The IGP said they would identify and neutralise the attackers very soon.
“The perpetrators of this barbaric terror act will be brought to justice very soon. Entire society, including the families of the terrorists, should condemn the attacks on unarmed policeman and his daughter,” he added.
Militant group Resistance Front, a shadow group of Lashkar-e-Taiba, has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.
The attack on the policeman took place a day after 15 pistols, 30 magazines, 300 rounds and a silencer was recovered in Srinagar from two “hybrid” militants of TRF. Police had said the seized small weapons were to be used for target killing of civilians and security personnel in Srinagar city.
This month, three policemen of Jammu and Kashmir have been killed in targeted attacks.
The killing of Qadri has been widely condemned.
J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha assured the people that those “behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished.”
“I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack in Soura, Srinagar. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished. I salute the martyr Policeman SgCt Saifullah Qadri. His service to the nation and supreme sacrifice will always be remembered,” the office of Sinha tweeted.
He also prayed for the speedy recovery of his daughter.
Jammu and Kashmir National Conferance President Farooq Abdullah and Vice-President Omar Abdullah also condemned the killing.
“…Yet another family will have to live with life-long pain and agony… I pray for speedy recovery of the injured girl,” Farooq said.
In his condemnation message, Omar said “The cowardly attackers not only killed Constable Qadri, but also injured his nine-year-old daughter, who I understand, is out of danger. I pray for her speedy recovery.”
The Peoples Democratic Party, while condemning the killing, said the unending cycle of violence continues and has consumed the life of policeman this time.
Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari said, “The mindless violence has taken thousands of innocent lives in Jammu and Kashmir over the years. How long this bloodshed will continue? Killing an innocent person cannot be an act of bravery; it is rather an act of cowardice.”
