J&K: Two injured in militant attack

Srinagar, July 16: Two persons, including a relative of a former cop-turned-surrendered militant, were shot at and injured by militants in Pulwama district of Kashmir last night, police said today.

Shabir Ahmad Pandit, cousin of the surrendered militant Tariq Ahmad Pandit, and Manzoor Ahmad were shot at by militants at Kareemabad in Pulwama district last night around 10 PM, a police official said.

He said the injured persons were shifted to hospitals in Srinagar for treatment. Tariq Ahmad Pandit had deserted police force to join Hizbul Mujahideen group led by now slain commander Burhan Wani last year.

With several of Burhan's close associated getting eliminated earlier this year, Pandit surrendered before security forces in May.

Although it was not clear why Shabir and his friend were targeted by the militants, police officials believe the attack was a "retribution" for killing of Burhan and his two associates in an encounter with security forces on July 8.

PTI