Yet another attack on Police personnel

At the outset, tributes to two brave policepersons who attained martyrdom as a result of a terror attack on their bus in Srinagar and good wishes to the injured cops for their speedy recovery . All out sympathies are for the bereaved families in having lost their dear ones in the inhuman attack .This is the second most cowardly but gruesome attack on the policemen while on duty perpetrated by those who ”thrive” on having no regard for humanity and the precious lives of the innocent but brave and patriotic persons who sincerely choose the cherished , right, truthful , normal and civilized ways to live and prove beneficial to the society and the nation. They ask , “how many would you target to kill in such cowardly and treacherous ways , martyrdom never goes in vain as martyrs live in the hearts and the psyche of the people while killers face the noose of the hangman .”
The last attack took place on the police party while being on routine patrolling in Bandipora Kashmir when the people, young and old , across length and breadth of the country were paying emotional tributes to the chopper crash martyrs comprising the country’s first CDS Gen. Rawat and others and the latest attack on a bus carrying police personnel was carried out when the Indian Parliament was paying tributes to the eight martyrs of Pakistan sponsored terror attack carried out on it on December 13, 2001 . Such a strategy adopted by Pakistan aided , abetted and sponsored militants needs to be countered effectively not only post such incidents but in pre-empting any chances of such attacks. This terror incident also is indicative of either an intelligence failure in providing the prior pointed information to the security forces about the possibility of an attack or some insider conveying all particulars about the movement of police personnel. This all has got to be analysed and inquired into deeply while at the same time, a thorough review of the existing intelligence apparatus needs to be made to plug areas of weaknesses.
Hiding behind and amidst the vehicles and the people on road at Aaripora near Pantha Chowk Srinagar to thwart a possible retaliation keeping regard for averting collateral damages especially innocents’ lives by the police , militants fired indiscriminately on the bus causing two policemen including an Assistant Sub Inspector attain martyrdom while injuring 14 others, including two critically, who were travelling back to Zewan Headquarters after performing the day’s duty. One of the killers reportedly having been injured in retaliatory firing , however, managed to run away along with his mate attackers needs to be caught and subjected to pay for their satanic acts. Reports that immediately after the attack , the security forces cordoned off the entire area must be followed by intense searches not only in apprehending the killers but unearthing the arms and ammunition even if such operations have to be carried out for longer durations.
It is an admitted fact that terrorism is on its last legs in Jammu and Kashmir and most of those who chose guns and ammunition as their fate and ambition have been killed in encounters , therefore, fresh infiltration being there possibly of some foreign militants and springing of new outfits at the behest of Pakistan and other agencies sponsoring terrorism, cannot be ruled out. The same day, two militants including a foreigner having got killed in operations on the outskirts of Srinagar bears testimony to the fact that the ”hot chase ” of militants is consistent and persistent. We again appeal and urge the political leadership in Jammu and Kashmir to resolutely condemn terror and terrorism at all forums including in public meetings instead of justifying violence and disputing official claims of the Pakistan sponsored terrorism having been knocked down in levels and strengths , in veiled manner just to score political points . Such leadership should use all political power and backing in leading organised campaigns against senseless killings as such violent acts serve no one’s interest except the enemy’s.
On the other hand, while appointing SPOs, no breach should take place in any manner whatsoever in intensely verifying the character and the antecedents of the persons considered and selected for posts of SPOs . This has reference to one such SPO having decamped with two service rifles on the same day of attack on police bus near Pantha Chowk in Srinagar. Police must , as expected, apprehend the fugitive SPO and his associate along with the service rifles as soon as possible and make them face the dire consequences.