On Parliament attack anniversary, militants target J&K Police bus; 2 cops dead, 12 hurt

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 13

Two Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel were killed and 12 others sustained injuries as militants opened fire on a bus carrying the policemen on the outskirts of Srinagar today, the ambush coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the terror attack on Parliament.

• Also read: Tribute paid to 2001 martyrs

The bus came under fire at Zewan in Pantha Chowk area, police officials said. They said at least 14 personnel of the ninth battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police sustained injuries in the attack. The injured were evacuated to various hospitals where two of them died. “One was an Assistant Sub-Inspector and the other a Selection Grade Constable,” the J&K Police posted on Twitter.

Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar said two to three terrorists were involved in the attack and they managed to escape taking advantage of darkness.

The area has been cordoned off and a search operation launched to track down the assailants. No terrorist outfit has so far claimed responsibility for the ambush, which took place hours after two militants were killed in an encounter at Rangret on the outskirts of Srinagar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the martyred security personnel and sought details on the attack.

J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and mainstream politicians and parties have condemned the incident. “Strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist strike on police bus in Srinagar. My homage to our martyred police personnel,” said Sinha.

On December 13, 2001, Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists had attacked the Parliament complex, killing nine persons. All five terrorists were shot dead.

Cops were unarmed

• J&K Armed Police do not carry firearms, only shields & batons
• An armed cop accompanies them during on-duty travel
• The bus carrying the cops wasn’t bullet-proof, said sources

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