J&K: Terrorists attack policeman in Baramulla, snatch AK-47; two held, third with rifle still at large

Srinagar: At least three suspected terrorists snatched an AK-47 rifle from a policeman in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday. 

While one terrorist managed to flee with the cop's rifle, the other two were nabbed by the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The incident took place in the wee hours on Sunday at the Tawi bridge of the district. A high alert has been sounded in Jammu and its outskirts by the authorities. 

"We have arrested two persons belonging to the Kashmir Valley in yesterday`s (Saturday) rifle snatching incident," Jammu Zone Inspector General of Police S.D. Singh Jamwal told IANS here.

"The third person is still at large with the stolen weapon, but will be arrested soon," Jamwal said.

The policeman, who was reportedly injured in the scuffle was shifted to a government hospital where he is being given medical treatment. 

Muhammad Hanief was deployed as the personal security guard (PSO) of Maulana Dehlavi, Chairman of Anjuman-e-Minhaj-e-Rasool, a religious organisation. 

The Islamic cleric is visiting Jammu. The policeman was returning to the district police lines after dropping Dehlavi at the state guest house here when he was attacked and his AK-47 was snatched.

The official did not mention whether the incident was connected with militancy in the valley.

Meanwhile, a manhunt has been launched by the state police to nab the third accused who managed to flee from the spot with rifle. The other terrorist in the custody of the police is being questioned for further leads. 

J&K: Two terrorists snatched AK-47 rifle from a Policeman in Jammu. Policeman injured, one terrorist arrested, other with rifle fled pic.twitter.com/No6XWeN6Ba — ANI (@ANI_news) March 26, 2017

It is, however, unclear which group these terrorists belong to.

In the past, several such cases of militants snatching arms from police officials have taken place. According to a media report, at least six such incidents took place in 2016 alone.