Cop killed during weapon snatching bid in J-K

A policeman was killed by militants during a weapon snatching bid in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir today, police said.

The militants attempted to force their way inside a guard post at Wardwan in Soibug area of the central Kashmir district, a police spokesman said.

He said the militants appeared outside the guard post and held-up selection grade constable Shamim Ahmad who was unarmed and was going to offer Friday prayers at a nearby mosque, he said.

Ahmad was asked by the militants to lead them towards the guard post, the spokesman said, adding however, he raised an alarm and the alert jawans inside the post foiled the weapon snatching bid.

In the process, the cop was injured, he said.

Later, the spokesman said, Ahmad, a resident of Check Hanjan Yaripora in Kulgam district of south Kashmir, succumbed to the injuries.

All arms and ammunition in the post were safe, the spokesman said, adding the area had been cordoned off.

The police have registered a case, he said.