4 cops die in Sopore market blast

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 6

Four policemen on patrol duty were killed in a blast — the first improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Kashmir since 2015 — at Sopore, 50 km from Srinagar, today.

  Jaish-e-Mohammad’s Afzal Guru Squad claimed responsibility for the explosion that occurred in Sopore’s Gole Market where policemen from the 3rd Battalion of the Indian Reserve Police were on duty. The town was observing a bandh to mark the 25th anniversary of the 1993 killings when 50 persons were shot dead by the forces.  

 Deputy Inspector General of Police (North Kashmir) Vidhi Kumar Birdi said: “There was commotion in a nearby lane. As the policemen on duty moved closer, a blast occurred, killing Assistant Sub-Inspector Irshad Ahmad of Doda and Constables Ghulam Nabi of Rohama Rafiabad, Parvaiz Ahmad of Handwara and Mohammad Amin of Sogam, Kupwara.”

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The explosion created a huge crater. Several shops were damaged beyond repair.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah expressed grief at the deaths. 

Additional DGP Munir Khan claimed, “Post-2015, there were no IED blasts. We will now have to put our heads together to chalk out ways to prevent these.” The IED was placed beneath the entrance of a shop, he added.  He was in Sopore for the wreath-laying ceremony.

 The JeM has stepped up activities in the Valley. Jaish militants had on New Year Eve killed five CRPF personnel, storming a camp at Lethpora in south Kashmir. The battle lasted 36 hours. 

ASI Irshad Ahmad is survived by his elderly mother, wife, two sons and two daughters, while Constable Mohammad Amin leaves behind an aged mother, wife and a four-year-old son. 

Constable Parvaiz Ahmad is survived by his father, wife, and a three-year-old son, while Constable Ghulam Nabi is survived by his parents, a pregnant wife and a four-year-old daughter.