Killing of SPO, his family: Pol parties condemn incident

Srinagar: The gruesome killing of a Special Police Officer and his family by terrorists of banned Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has sent shock waves across Jammu and Kashmir with political parties terming it a "dastardly and cowardly" act and a blot on the security scenario in the valley.

Officials on Monday said Fayaz Ahmed, his wife, Raja Begum, and 22-year-old daughter, Rafia, were in their house in Hariparigam in Awantipora area of South Kashmir when terrorists barged inside at 11 pm on Sunday and indiscriminately opened fire on them. The village is located around 50 kms south of Srinagar city. Ahmad was declared brought dead at the hospital, while his wife passed away during the night and the daughter succumbed on Monday morning.

The area has been cordoned off and a manhunt launched to track down the assailants but no arrests have been made so far, the officials said on Monday.

Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) Vijay Kumar said that two JeM terrorists, including a foreigner, were involved in the killing.

The wife and daughter were injured in the incident when they made a desperate bid to save Ahmad, he said.

"There is a movement of militants in this area. Two terrorists came last night, one of them from appearance seems to be an FT (foreign terrorist)," Kumar told reporters.

Kumar said the loss of the SPO along with his wife and daughter has "pained us a lot" and assured that the terrorists involved in the act will be neutralised soon.

"We will soon identify them (attackers) and neutralise them," he added.

Asked whether the militant outfit behind the attack had been identified, Kumar said, "Obviously, there is a JeM movement in this area, so Jaish must be behind it."

Terrorists have intensified attacks on police and security forces recently. While an inspector and a constable were killed in Nowgam and Eidgah areas of Srinagar last week, a civilian died in a grenade attack on security forces at Barbarshah in the heart of the city.

The killing of the SPO and his family shook the valley with politicians across the board condemning the dastardly act.

"I unreservedly condemn the dastardly and cowardly militant attack on the JK police SPO Fayaz Ahmed, his wife and his young daughter at their home last night. I pray they receive their place in Jannat and their loved ones find strength during this terrible time," National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah wrote on Twitter.