An under trial Pakistani militant and a cop were killed and four other policemen injured in a mysterious grenade blast inside a police van in Hygam area along Srinagar-Baramulla highway in north Kashmir on Saturday afternoon.Official sources told Srinagar-based news agency GNS that the under trial, identified as Wahid Noor Khan of Rawalakot in Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) was being taken to Srinagar Central Jail after court attendance in Sopore Town.“When the vehicle reached Hygam, a blast occurred inside the van leaving the prisoner dead and injuring five cops including an officer,” they said, adding that a police party immediately rushed to the spot and ferried their injured colleagues to District Hospital Baramulla for treatment where from they were shifted to Srinagar for specialized treatment. One among them identified as Constable Abdul Majeed (455/Sopore) succumbed to injuries.
The other injured policemen have been identified as Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Gulam Muhammad (Belt number 62), Constable Muhammad Anwar, (Belt number 302), Constable Iftikar Ahmad (belt number 555) and Constable Tasaduk Ahmad (belt number 458). Out of five, three policemen are critical and are currently being treated in SMHS hospital.
Police officials claimed that a live grenade was found in the possession of slain Pakistan prisoner.The blast created panic in the area and contingents of Special Operation Group (SOG) of police, army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) reached on the spot to assess the situation.
Advocate Shaftkat Hussain, who was the counsel of slain prisoner, told GNS over phone that Wahid Noor Khan was associated with Hizbul Mujahideen and was arrested from SMHS hospital in September 2010.Hailing the slain, he said: “Wahid Noor Khan was a nice gentleman. His conduct was good and he never misbehaved with anyone. He never allowed female counsels to plead his case calling the act as sin.”Shaftkat informed that police had challaned him in Sopore and Srinagar courts and was booked under 13 and 20 Unlawful Activities Act. “Besides, he was also booked Under 14 Foreigners Act and 2/3 Egress & Ingress Movement Control Ordinance,” he said. Sources said he was also booked under section 302.
Accusing State of murdering Pakistan prisoner, he said: “How is it possible that someone hands over a grenade to him in police custody? What were police doing? It is a murder and nothing else. State is responsible for his murder.”Official sources told GNS that a “high level” enquiry has been ordered in the incident by top brass of police into the incident.
Talking to GNS, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police (North Kashmir) Garib Dass said: “A Pakistani under trail militant was killed and five policemen are injured in a powerful grenade blast that took place in a police vehicle at Hygam today. The prisoner was being taken back to Srinagar after court attendance in Sopore.”He said a probe has been ordered in this regard and a case has also been registered. The DIG confirmed that a grenade was recovered near the prisoner’s body.
When asked where from the grenades came, he said: “We are investigating that part. We are probing from where it came. Whether it was handed over to him in the court or it was dropped in the unattended vehicle. All these things are being probed.” (GNS)