A POLICEMAN was killed in an attack by terrorists in Anantnag town of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, officials said here. The firing took place around 12.30 pm on Wednesday at Lal Chowk in Anantnag. They said one head constable, Ashiq Hussain, posted on Amarnath yatra security duty was injured in the attack and rushed to the Government Medical College hospital at Anantnag. Hussain was declared dead on arrival by the doctors, the officials said. Sources said the attack was carried out by bike-borne terrorists, who opened fire from a moving vehicle, targeting the policeman on patrol duty. Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched an operation to track down the assailants, they said. The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow outfit of Lashkar-eToiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack through a social media post.

 

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the killing of a policeman and said the heinous crime will not go unpunished. “I strongly condemn this cowardly attack. This heinous act will not go unpunished. J&K Police and our security forces are on the ground and will bring those responsible to justice,” Sinha said in a post on X. He said he spoke to Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat to take stock of the situation. “I spoke with DGP Shri Nalin Prabhat to review the situation following the terror attack in Anantnag. My heartfelt condolences to the family of Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, who sacrificed his life in the line of duty. The whole country stands shoulder-toshoulder with the family of the martyr,” he added. DGP Prabhat visited the spot for a first-hand assessment of the situation. A massive operation has been launched to track the terrorist.