Police officer ‘chasing top Lashkar commander’ killed in Kashmir attack

A police officer has died in a militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

A police officer was killed in an attack in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Wednesday, police sources said, as he reportedly chased a group of militants, including top Lashkar-e-Toiba commander Abu Qasim.

Sub-inspector Altaf Ahmad was critically injured in the attack at Gund Dachin area and succumbed to his injuries at the army’s Badami Bagh hospital in Srinagar.

Sources said Ahmad was head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the police that investigates the use of technology by militants.

They said Ahmad and two of his associates were on a “mission” and had used a private car to follow the militants to remain inconspicuous.

There was, however, no official confirmation on whether or not the militants being chased included Abu Qasim.

Inspector general of police for Kashmir range, SJM Gillani called Ahmad “one of our best officers”. “He has done tremendous work on the anti-terrorism front. His death is a big loss for us,” Gillani said.

The militants are believed to have fled the area soon after the attack.

The Special Operations Group, a counter-insurgency wing of the state police, and the CRPF have cordoned off the area and launched a massive manhunt for the militants.