SPO killing by LeT militants solved by Kashmir police

Srinagar, Feb 8: Jammu and Kashmir police claimed to have solved the murder case of Special Police Officer (SPO) Mohammad Ashraf Khan who was killed by three Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) militants in a vehicle in north Kashmir last month.

Superintendent of Police, Handwara, Dr Haseeb Mughal giving details about the incident said on January 21, two SPOs -- Mohammad Ashraf and Abdul Majid--boarded a private vehicle at Bakihakar crossing in Handwara.

He said two LeT militants also boarded the same vehicle and when it reached near a particular area, one of the militants attacked Ashraf with a knife and cut his throat.

However, when the militant tried to snatch the weapon of this deceased militant identified as Hilal Ahmad Hajan alias Saqib, SPO Majid shot him dead with his service weapon. The other militant managed to escape, he said.

He said an FIR, under section 302.393 RPC, 7/27 1A Act was registered in Handwara Police Station Dr Mughal said during investigation it came to light that three local militants -- Ehsan Maqbool alias Benty alias Chota Bhai , Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, Hilal Ahmad Hajam alias Sakib and LeT district Commander Usman were involved in the incident. Hilal was killed on the spot.

He said the local trained militants were mainly deputed for target chasing and providing day-to-day information with regard to the movement of security forces and Police in Zachaldara area.

They used to transport militants mostly foreigners and their arms and ammunition from Rajwar to other parts of Kupwara district and in the jurisdiction of Police District Handwara.

UNI