Lone Breadwinning Policeman Shot Dead in Srinagar

Srinagar: A policeman was shot dead by militants near his residence at Batamaloo, Srinagar, at night on Sunday, the latest in a fresh spate of targeted killings in the region which claimed more than 12 lives in October. 

Constable Tausif Ahmad, 29, was killed after the assailants shot him from a point-blank range outside his residence at SD Colony around 8 pm, according to the police. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries on the way.  Ahmad, the lone breadwinner of his family, is survived by his wife, two children aged four and 5 five and an old mother.

“I called him to ask where he was last night. He said that he was outside our home near a shop and was buying candies for the children. After some time, a relative called to inform us that he had been shot,” his wife said. “We do not want anything from any government. I just want to ask his killers what was his fault and did they not think of his small children,” she added. 

The killing was widely condemned by political parties, who termed it a “dastardly” act. “Unequivocally condemn the cowardly & dastardly attack on 29 year old (sic) policeman in Batmaloo (sic), Srinagar in which he lost his life. No words of condemnation would be enough! May Allah grant him a place in Jannat. Our hearts go out to his family and friends at this time of grief,” the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference tweeted. 

Unequivocally condemn the cowardly & dastardly attack on 29 year old policeman in Batmaloo, Srinagar in which he lost his life. No words of condemnation would be enough! May Allah grant him a place in Jannat. Our hearts go out to his family and friends at this time of grief.

— JKNC (@JKNC_) November 7, 2021

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Ghulam Ahmad Mir termed the attack as shameful. “I am deeply saddened and shocked to learn about the killing of Touseef Ahmad,” Mir said, according to news agency PTI.

The Peoples Democratic Party tweeted: “Anguished by the attack in Batamaloo which has claimed the life of @JmuKmrPolice cop Tauseef Ahmed. May his family find strength (sic) to bear the loss.”

Anguished by the attack in Batamaloo which has claimed the life of @JmuKmrPolice cop Tauseef Ahmed. May his family find strength to bear the loss.

— J&K PDP (@jkpdp) November 7, 2021

People’s Conference president Sajad Lone said that he was pained to hear about the killing, according to PTI. “Yet again an addition to army (sic) of orphans and widows. Pained to hear about the killing of Constable Touseef Ahmed (sic). My heartfelt commiserations to the family. Inshallah Allah will grant Jannat,” he tweeted.

Yet again an addition to army of orphans and widows. Pained to hear about the killing of Constable Touseef Ahmed. My heartfelt commiserations to the family. Inshallah Allah will grant Jannat.

— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) November 7, 2021

Condemning the killing “as an act of cowardice”, the office of lieutenant-general Manoj Sinha tweeted: “I strongly condemn the brutal killing of our brave police jawan Touseef Wani (sic) by terrorists in Batmaloo, Srinagar. This is an act of cowardice & perpetrators of violence will be brought to justice very soon. My deepest condolences to the family of martyr (sic) in this hour of grief.”

I strongly condemn the brutal killing of our brave police jawan Touseef Wani by terrorists in Batmaloo,Srinagar.This is an act of cowardice & perpetrators of violence will be brought to justice very soon. My deepest condolences to the family of martyr in this hour of grief.

— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) November 7, 2021

Ahmad’s killing is the most recent in the fresh wave of violence, which has shaken the Jammu and Kashmir. Members of Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot The Resistance Front (TRF) have killed as many as 12 civilians and policemen in October alone, marking the highest number of casualties in the year so far.  

Thirty-four people, including shopkeepers, political activists and policemen, have been killed by TRF this year, which accused them of aiding the security agencies. The claim, however, has been refuted by the families of the victims. 

“We have seen so much bloodletting, which seems to never end. There is no respite with common people mostly suffering. The situation has taken a worse turn now,” one of Ahmad’s neighbour told Newsclick. 

The civilian killings have raised concerns in the security establishment, which has heightened security measures across the region. Following the killings in October, the police detained hundreds of people for questioning. Union home minister Amit Shah visited the Union territory on October 23 to assure the population as the violence unfolded. 

The upsurge in violence has particularly unfolded in Srinagar city, where more than 50 militancy-related incidents, including attacks, killings and threat calls made to civilians, have been reported so far, according to the police.