J-K cop playing cricket shot at by terrorist; Lashkar outfit owns attack

A Jammu and Kashmir police inspector was battling for life at a hospital after he was shot and wounded by a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist on a cricket field in downtown Srinagar on Sunday, officials said.

The officer, identified as Masroor Ahmad Wani, was playing cricket at the Eidgah playground when the lone terrorist fired three shots in the eye, abdomen and hand from close range.

On Sundays, the Eidgah ground is usually filled with youngsters playing cricket.

Wani's teammates ran after the terrorist but he fired in the air before fleeing through adjoining lanes, they said.

Additional director general of police (Kashmir range) Vijay Kumar immediately rushed to the scene and took stock of the situation.

"We have identified the terrorist. His name is Basit Dar and he hails from Kulgam. He has been active for quite some time and working at the behest of his masters across the border," Kumar said, adding that a Turkish revolver was used in carrying out the attack.

He said multiple teams have fanned out and raids are being conducted to nab the terrorist. "I am sure we will be catching him soon," he said.

Believed to be in his late thirties, Wani was rushed to a hospital in Soura where he was undergoing an operation, the officials said, adding his condition was stated to be critical.

He was posted in the district police lines.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Kashmir Zone Police stated, "Terrorists fired upon and injured Inspector Masroor Ahmad near Eidgah, Srinagar. He was immediately shifted to hospital for treatment. Preliminary investigation reveals that a pistol was used in this terror crime. Area cordoned off, case registered."

The Resistance Front, a shadow outfit of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayiba terror group, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

However, the officials said that they had got some clues about the terrorist who carried out the attack and an operation was on to nab him.

security has been beefed up as police and the Central Reserve Police Force have intensified checking in Srinagar and other towns of Kashmir following Sunday's terrorist attack on a police officer who has been critically injured, officials said.

The security forces have intensified the checking of vehicles and pedestrians in several parts of Srinagar city and other towns, especially in the south Kashmir district of Pulwama, the officials said.

Mobile vehicle checkpoints have been established at all major intersections in Srinagar as well as at the city's exit points, they added.