Jaish behind Nowgam attack, police busy identifying attackers; will act against them soon: DGP Dilbagh Singh

‘Will speed up anti-militancy operations to strengthen peace in J&K, slain cops were deployed to ensure smooth conduct of Aug 15 function, more security measures for peaceful I-Day across Valley’

Abid Bashir

Srinagar, Aug 14 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir police Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh preliminary investigations have revealed that Jaish-e-Muhammad outfit has carried out the Nowgam attack in which two militants were killed and police was busy identifying the attackers. Singh was quick to add that police will act against the attackers soon.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of wreath laying ceremony slain policemen who were identified as Fayaz Ahmed and Ishfaq Ayoub, the DGP Singh said that initial investigations have revealed that Jaish-e-Muhammad outfit is behind the attack. “Police and other agencies are busy identifying the attackers and we will act against them soon,” the J&K police chief said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). The wreath laying ceremony was held at District Police Lines (DPL) Srinagar.

The DGP said that police was busy with the extended deployment in Srinagar and city outskirts in view of the Independence Day. “Unfortunately, militants found a chance to attack a joint party of SSB and police at Nowgam in which two policemen were killed and another one injured, who is being treated at the hospital,” he said.

DGP Singh said that militants always try to target police and forces and at times they succeed. “Such attacks are carried when situation shows improvement in Kashmir. Our neighbour (Pakistan) cant tolerate peace prevailing in the Valley and keeps trying to carry out acts like the one today, to disrupt peaceful atmosphere,” he said, adding that “our efforts to strengthen the peace will continue.”

The J&K Police chief said that anti-militancy operations will be intensified in the days ahead. While paying tributes to the slain cops, he said the slain duo were deployed to ensure smooth conduct of tomorrow’s function. “At times, we have to bear such incidents,” Singh said as per KNO.

Asked whether more security arrangements will be done in Srinagar as today’s attack came just a day ahead of the I-Day functions, the DGP Singh said security across Kashmir and Srinagar will be further strengthened. On whether police was using latest gadgets to ensure better security cover, he said: “We will use drones and CCTV fitted vehicles besides physical deployment of our men,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, LG’s Advisor BR Bhatnagar paid tributes to slain cops and stated that entire UT government shares the pain and stands with the families of the two cops who were killed at Nowgam