Srinagar: As Sopore town of this north Kashmir’s Baramulla district observes shutdown to remember the 1993 massacre victims today, a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast killed four cops and injured few others, at the same place of the massacre 25 years back.
57 civilians were killed in firing by Border Security Force (BSF) men on January 6, 1993. Several houses and the entire market were also set on fire.
A police officer said an IED went off near Haaritar area of Sopore resulting in injuries to four policemen who were rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to injuries.
The deceased have been identified as ASI Irshad Ahmad, EXK number 825685, resident of Doda; Constable Ghulam Nabi, Belt number 720/IRP 3rd, resident of Rohama, Rafiaabad, Sopore; Constable Parvaiz Ahmad, Belt number 915/IRP 3rd, resident of Villigam Handwara; Constable Mohammad Amin, Belt number 470/IRP 3rd, resident of Sogam, Kupwara, police said in a statement.
Following the attack army, forces and SOG launched searches to nab the attackers.
The militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad has claimed responsibility for the blast.
A local news agency quoted the outfit spokesperson as saying that the “Shaheed Afzal Guru squad carried out the attack”.
The joint resistance leadership (JRL) had also called for shutdown in Sopore to mark the anniversary.
Additional contingent of forces have been deployed by authorities in the apple town to thwart any protest.
