SRINAGAR: Unidentified gunmen shot dead an elderly traffic police officer in Pulwama on Friday.
Assistant Sub Inspector Farooq Ahmad Sheikh belt No. 79/ PL was shot and critically injured when he was on duty at Rajpora Chowk, Pulwama Friday afternoon. He later succumbed to his injuries, a police spokesman said in a statement.
Farooq from Baran Pathar, Batamalu is survived by his wife, three daughters and two sons.
Eyewitnesses said that two pistol borne youth dressed in traditional khan dress surfaced in the chowk and fired several rounds on the elderly traffic cop. They added that the police man who was at the verge of retirement was coming out from masjid after offering Friday prayers.
Gunmen fired upon him from point blank range and pumped number of bullets into his chest, witnesses said.
SSP Pulwama Amit Kumar said that the police was investigating as who was behind the attack.
He succumbed to injuries in hospital. We are investigating, Kumar said.
In the meantime army and police have launched an extensive search operation in the area. Militant outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahedeen has claimed the responsibility of the attack, a report said.
The attack has been carried out by our guerrilla squad, Hizb spokesperson Baleg-ud-din told KNS on phone.
This was the second fatal attack on police since four policemen were shot dead in a surprise attack at Hygam in North Kashmirs Baramulla District last month.
