Four cops killed in IED blast in Kashmir

Indian paramilitary troopers inspect the site of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack

Indian paramilitary troopers inspect the site of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack

Four policemen on patrol duty were killed yesterday in an improvised explosive device blast by militants in a market in Sopore township, the first IED attack in Kashmir since 2015. The four personnel belonging to Indian Reserve Police-3rd battalion were on law and order duty in the township in north Kashmir, 50 km from here, when the IED planted by militants in the market, which was shut due to a separatist sponsored strike, went off, police said.

Irshad Ahmad, Ghulam Nabi, Parvaiz Ahmad and Mohammad Amin died in the blast. Pics/PTI and AFP

Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant outfit has taken responsibility for the attack, but the Kashmir police said it will have to verify the claim. Additional Director General of Police Munir Khan said the use of IEDs by militants had ended since 2015 and the security forces will have to chalk out a new strategy in the wake of the blast. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has urged the people to work to break the "vortex of violence" in the state.

Tweet talk
Omar Abdullah @OmarAbdullah:
Very sad news from #Sopore. May the four brave J&K police personnel killed in the line of duty today rest in peace

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