Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 24: After a major strike by militants in Srinagar, security in the summer capital has been put on high alert and a major crackdown has been launched against the group responsible for the cop killings.
Three police men including an officer was killed yesterday in Srinagar in two separate cop killing attacks in Zadibal and Tengpora areas. The attacks took place after a gap of three years. The last attack took place in June 2013 when two cops were killed in Hari Singh High Street area of Srinagar and this was followed by an attack on Army convoy at Srinagar Bypass in which around one dozen Army men were killed.
Security was immediately put on alert and massive hunt was launched against the assailants of the three cops. Police and CRPF established check points across Srinagar city including at all entry and exits of the city.
An emergency meeting of the security agencies was held in Srinagar and massive hunt has been launched against the assailants.
Police today detained around two dozen former militants, Over Ground Workers of militant outfits and suspected persons and questioned them about yesterday’s attack. However, none of them had knowledge about the attacks and police may round up more people for questioning from various parts of city in next few days as part of investigations.
After preliminary investigations, police have found that two members of Hizbul Mujahideen from Srinagar city, who joined the cadres this month, are responsible for the cop killings. Sources say that the duo were, however, accompanied by a trained militant of Hizbul Mujahideen and after carrying out the attack, they fled towards South Kashmir.
The killings came at a time when budget session of the Assembly begins tomorrow. Police have strengthened security arrangements and put its men on alert. They are also conducting surprise frisking of vehicles at various check points established across Srinagar city.
DIG Ghulam Hassan Bhat said that the police has made all the required security arrangements for smooth conduct of the Budget session of the Assembly.
In the meantime, police appealed the landlords in Srinagar to allow only verified tenants in their properties. The police will begin verification of all the tenants and labourers who put up in Srinagar city to prevent militants from making hideouts in Srinagar city.
The recruitment of three youth from Srinagar city by militants is a major worry for security agencies as it has led to Srinagar city becoming target of militant attacks. Three youth Merajudin Bangroo, Danish and Mugais have reportedly joined militancy this month only. Bangroo has reportedly joined Lashkar-e-Toiba ad Danish and Mugais, the Hizbul Mujahideen.
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