Four cops including a police officer were killed few others reportedly sustained splinter injuries in a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Sopore town of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.A police officer told GNS that at around 10:05 am today, the IED planted by suspected militants went off near Haaritar area of Sopore resulting in injuries to four policemen.All the injured have been rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment where all of them succumbed to injuries.The deceased have been identified as of IRP 3rd Bn and were identified as ASI Irshad Ahmad (58) of Doda, Constable Ghulam Nabi of Rohama Rafiaabad, Constable Parvaiz Ahmad of Vilgam Handwara, Constable Mohammad Amin of Sogam Kupwara.The high intensity blast damaged several shops besides caused damage to windowpanes of many residential houses in the area.Soon after the attack army, paramilitary forces and SOG launched a massive hunt to nab the attackers.When this report was being filed no one has been arrested so far in connection with the blast.Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in apple town of Sopore to mark the 25th anniversary of 1993 martyrs.The call for the shutdown was given by the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL). All shops and business establishments remained closed while traffic remained off the roads. The authorities had deployed additional police and paramilitary CRPF men in the town to thwart any protests.Pertinently, on this day in 1993, at least 57 people were shot dead by paramilitary BSF men personnel from 94th battalion after the massacre, troopers indulged in arson and set ablaze entire Sopore market. (GNS)