IED explosion kills 4 cops in Sopore

Jammu: Four policemen were killed when militants detonated a powerful Improvised Explosive Device in Sopore town of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Saturday morning. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh , former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister Rural Development Abdul Haq Khan have in their separate statements condemned the killings of police men. The militant outfits Jaish e Mohammad has claimed the responsibility for the attack and IGP Kashmir Muneer Ahmed Khan has said the a power blast killed four policemen in Sopore.
The intensity of the blast was such that it damaged couple of shops and broke the windowpanes of some residential houses.
The incident occurred at Gol Market main chowk in Sopore at a time when town was observing a shutdown against the massacre by BSF in 1993 in which 57 people were killed.
Sources said militants had planted the IED beneath the shop front where cops usually take rest during the time of protest or shutdown in the town.
Witnesses said that all the four cops present near the shop died on spot. Panic gripped in the town after the blast. Restrictions were imposed and people didn’t venture out from their houses.
A police official said IED blast took place at Sopore market planted by militatns, resulting in death of four police personnel of IRP 3rd Bn who were identified as ASI Irshad Ahmad EXK number 825685 resident of Doda about 58 years old, Constable Ghulam Nabi Belt number 720/IRP 3rd resident of Rohama Rafiaabad, Constable Parvaiz Ahmad Belt number 915/IRP 3rd resident of Vilgam Handwara, Constable Mohammad Amin Belt number 470/IRP 3rd resident of Sogam Kupwara.
ASI Irshad Ahmad is survived by aged mother about 72 years old, wife, two sons Nadeem Irshad about 19 years old, Sahil Irshad about 10 years old, two daughters Fiza Irshad about 16 years old, and Toiba Bano about 13 years old.
Constable Mohammad Amin is survived by aged mother, wife, minor son Tajam-ul-Islam about 04 years old, a brother and three sisters.
Constable Parvaiz Ahmad is survived by aged father, wife, minor son Mohammad Noman about 03 years old, unmarried sister and three brothers.
Constable Ghulam Nabi is survived by aged parents, pregnant wife, minor daughter Faheeqa Nabi about 04 years old, two brothers and two unmarried sisters.
To pay homage to the slain police personnel, , a wreath laying ceremony was held at District Police Lines Sopore.
Additional Director General of Police Munir Ahmad Khan led police officers and jawans in laying floral wreaths on the mortal remains of the martyrs.
Among others who presented wreaths and flowers included IGP Armed Ahfadul Mujtaba, SSP Sopore Harmeet Singh, SSP Baramulla Imtiyaz Hussain, CO’s of 22 RR and 179 Bn CRPF, all DySsP and jawans of the district.
Inspector General of Police Munir Khan while expressing grief over the killing of four cops in Sopore town of North Kahsmir’s Baramulla district said the situation is though serious but they will tackle it effectively.
He was talking to reporters at 22 Rashtriya Rifles camp of Indian Army in Sopore town.
IGP visited Sopore shortly after the IED blast and took part in wreath laying ceremony of the four slain cops.
“Since 2015, it was the first IED blast that killed our four cops. Today’s blast was very powerful that resulted in the loss of life and property,” Khan said.
When asked militant outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad has claimed the responsibility of the attack, Khan said that they will go into every detail and will verify and investigate the matter.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has condemned the killing of four policemen, including an officer, in an IED blast at Sopore early morning Saturday.
In a statement, the Chief Minister said it was highly unfortunate to see these young cops being killed when they were in the line of duty in the town. She said the vortex of violence in the State needs to be broken and for that every section of society has to work shoulder to shoulder .The Chief Minister has conveyed her heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for peace to the departed souls.
Condemning the killing of policemen Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh said such heinous incidents are handiwork of the forces trying to disrupt peaceful environs of the state by carrying out these types of violent activities. Expressing sympathies with the families of the martyred jawans he prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.
Earlier Saturday morning,taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti wrote: “Pained to hear that four policemen have been killed in an IED explosion in Sopore. My deepest condolences to their families”.
Former Chief Minister and MLA Beerwah Omar Abdullah also expressed anguish over the killing of four Jammu and Kashmir police personnel in an IED blast in Sopore town of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Abdullah wrote on Twitter: “Very sad news from #Sopore. May the four brave J&K police personnel killed in the line of duty today rest in piece”.
Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Law and Justice Abdul Haq has also condoled the loss of lives in an IED blast in Sopore and snow avalanche in Kupwara district.
While expressing deep condolence to the bereaved family, Minister said words fall short of expressing the sorrow & pain over the loss of 4 Jawans of J&K Police. Four Policemen were killed in an IED attack at Sopore on Saturday morning.
Terming the act dastardly, Minister condemned the killings and said the mindless violence will lead us nowhere except destroying the very social fabric of the society.