The police patrol team came under attack in Nowgam bypass, on the outskirts of Srinagar city.
Highlights
- The police party came under attack in Nowgam Bypass area
- Attack comes ahead of Independence Day when security is on all time high
- This is second attack on security forces in last three
Two Jammu and Kashmir policemen were killed and another was injured after a police party came under attack from terrorists on the outskirts of Srinagar this morning, the police said.
The police party was on routine security duty at Nowgam Bypass area of the city when it came under heavy firing. After the attack, terrorists managed to escape.
This is second attack on security forces in last three days. On Wednesday one army soldier was injured after a Quick Reaction Team (QRT) of army was attacked at Hygam along Srinagar- Baramulla highway.
Today's attack has come ahead of Independence Day when security is on all time high alert in Kashmir.
In a statement the police said three police personnel were injured in the attack and were shifted to hospital for treatment. Two of them died during treatment, police said.
"Terrorists fired indiscriminately upon police party near Nowgam Bypass. 3 police personnel injured. They were shifted to hospital for treatment where two among them attained martyrdom. Area cordoned off. Further details shall follow," Kashmir Zone police tweeted, giving update on the incident.
Vijay Kumar, Inspector General Police, Kashmir said that Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) is responsible for carrying out the attack.
"Two terrorists came and started firing on police personnel in which two cops were killed and one suffered injuries. We have cordoned off the whole area. Prima facie, it seems there is a hand of Jaish-e-Mohammad. We are identifying it," Mr Kumar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
"We received many inputs. We got an input that terrorists can strike in any area. Our police were on alert. One of the terrorists was hiding behind and started firing. We have identified him. He is from the JeM group. We will neutralise him soon. There was people''s movement in the area. That''s why police personnel could not fire as it would have resulted in civilian casualties," he said.
Security forces and police have intensified patrolling and troops have been deployed across the city.
The main Independence Day function will be held at Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar.
Officials said that random search of vehicles are being carried out near Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, the venue of the main function.
Similar precautionary measures with respect to security arrangements have been made in other districts of the valley, the officials said.
With inputs from agencies