Terrorist Attack on Off-Duty J&K Police Inspector Leaves Him Critically Wounded

Strategic Insights -

A terrorist fired on off-duty Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police inspector Masroor Ahmad Wani while he was playing cricket with friends at the Eidgah ground in downtown Srinagar on Sunday afternoon, critically wounding him. Wani suffered wounds to his abdomen, neck, and eye, and was rushed to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, where his condition remains precarious. This is the first instance of an off-duty cop being attacked in the Kashmir zone this year, with as many as 10 J&K cops being killed by terrorists in 2022, some in targeted strikes while they were on leave or off duty.

Key Takeaways:

  • Off-duty J&K police inspector Masroor Ahmad Wani was critically wounded in a terrorist attack at the Eidgah ground in Srinagar on Sunday afternoon, suffering wounds to his abdomen, neck, and eye.
  • Wani, posted at the district police lines, is the first off-duty cop to be attacked in the Kashmir zone this year, with 10 J&K cops being killed by terrorists in 2022, some in targeted strikes while they were on leave or off duty.
  • The terrorist used a Turkish revolver during the assault, and has been identified as Basit Dar, a member of the TRF's "Falcon Squad", a covert branch of the Lashkar-e-Taiba.
  • The area has been cordoned off, and multiple teams are conducting searches in pursuit of the attacker, who is believed to be acting on instructions from his handlers across the border.
  • Reports indicate Basit Dar is the "most wanted" terrorist, involved in numerous heinous acts of terrorism.
  • TRF claimed responsibility for the attack, accusing Wani of mistreating local civilians, despite having received a warning beforehand against targeting the inspector.

Statistics:

  • In 2022, as many as 10 J&K cops were killed by terrorists, some in targeted strikes while they were on leave or off duty.
  • A total of 19 security personnel had died in terrorist attacks in the Union territory of J&K till September, with 8 in Kashmir and 11 in Jammu.
  • Basit Dar is reportedly the "most wanted" terrorist, involved in numerous heinous acts of terrorism.

Sources:

  • Times of India
  • Kashmir's ADGP Vijay Kumar