Two policemen killed in Srinagar attack, LeT militant escapes (Third Lead)

In an audacious attack, gunmen attired in Pherans (Cloak) helped a Pakistani LeT militant escape by firing at the police party escorting him to hospital here on Tuesday, leaving two policemen dead.

Authorities have sounded a high alert in the city.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti while offering her condolences wrote on Twitter, "Pained to hear that two more brave policemen lost their lives in an attack in Srinagar today. My heart goes out to their families and loved ones."

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, "Two J&K policemen killed by terrorists inside Srinagar's premier hospital. Heartfelt condolences to the families of Constables Mushtaq & Babar."

According to police, two militants carried out the attack to help Pakistani militant, Naveed Jat alias Abu Hunzullah, escape when he was being taken to the S.M.H.S hospital for a medical check-up from Srinagar central jail in the morning.

Hunzullah escaped when the waiting militants fired at the police party outside the hospital. One policeman was killed, while another was injured, and died later in hospital.

"Naveed, a resident of Multan in Pakistan, had joined the LeT in 2011 and was active in the Valley for four years before he was arrested in Kulgam district in 2014.

"He was a close associate of Abu Qasim, the LeT commander, who was killed in 2015 by the security forces in Kulgam district," police said.

Police refuted media reports that the escaped militant had snatched the rifle of a policeman before escaping.

The area around the hospital was sealed.

Vehicles moving in the city were being searched to trace the escaped LeT terrorist.

All exit points from Srinagar city were also sealed as vehicles going to urban and rural areas were being checked to trace the LeT terrorist.

Head Constable Mushtaq Ahmad was killed in the attack, while Constable Babar Ahmad, who was injured, died later.

--IANS

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