Former J&K cop shot dead by militants in Kulgam

Srinagar, Jul 15: A former police officer was shot dead by militants in Kulgam district of south Kashmir, the second attack by the ultras on civilians in the region within 12 hours, police said today.

Bashir Ahmad Dar, retired superintendent of police, was shot dead late last night near his residence in Ashmuji, 70 kms from here, a police official said.

"At about 11.30 pm, some unknown militants fired upon the retired SP near his residence at Ashmuji in Kulgam," the official said.

He said Dar was referred to SKIMS Hospital here but was declared dead on arrival. The attack on Dar was the second such incident yesterday in south Kashmir.

Earlier yesterday, militants shot at and critically injured a Panch Mohammad Yaqoob Malla in nearby Shopian district.

No militant outfit has so far claimed responsibility for the two attacks but they have come amid growing activities of militants on social networking sites.

Banned terrorist group Hizbul Mujahideen uploaded an 80-second video and several group pictures over the past fortnight in an apparent move to glamorise militancy to attract new recruits.

The video shows young gun-toting militants in battle fatigues, including Burhan Wani of Tral, who has emerged as a 'poster-boy' of militancy in the state, undergoing combat training and joking with each other.

Security agencies estimate over 50 boys, mainly from south Kashmir, have joined militant ranks since January this year.

PTI