Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 15:An alert police guard tonight foiled an attempt by militants to snatch weapons from the security guards of a Congress leader in district Budgam during which the leader was critically injured.
Police said that two militants barged into the residence of Zahid Ahmad Jan, district president of Congress for Budgam and tried to snatch weapons from his personal security guards.
One of the security guards opened fire and militants fled away under the cover of darkness. Militants also fired three rounds in air before fleeing. They also attacked the Congress leader with an axe injuring him in the head. He was removed to Sub-district Hospital Charar-e-Sharief where his condition is stated to be out of danger.
Police and Army have launched an operation to trace out the militants responsible for the attack on Congress leader and attempted weapon snatching.
Earlier, police in Srinagar was on high alert following inputs that militants may resort to cop killing aimed at snatching weapons. Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were on high alert to prevent any such attempt in Civil Lines area of Srinagar.
Police and other security agencies were on high alert after reports that two top Lashkar-e-Toiba commanders, Dujana and Irshad Gania had visited South Western side of Srinagar city to conduct reccee.
There was another input that the militants may resort to cop killing in Lal Chowk area of Srinagar city. However, incident took place some 30 kilometers from Srinagar city in Charar-e-Sharif in district Budgam.
Militants of Hizbul Mujahideen last year in June snatched weapons from the security guards at Pakharpora shrine near Charar-e-Sharief in district Budgam. They were also armed with axes.
The weapon snatching at Congress leader’s house comes two days after militants snatched weapons from two CRPF men at Sangam in district Anantnag soon after killing them at point blank range. The CRPF men including an officer were on Road Opening Party (ROP) duty when militants attacked them. They died on the spot.
Director General CRPF, Prakash Mishra, yesterday said that security forces are evolving a strategy to prevent weapon snatching by the militants in the State.
Reports said that security forces have been asked to remain alert to prevent weapon snatching by the militants. They said that the militants are facing shortage of weapons and resort to such attempts.
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