Militants allegedly fled after firing shots inside Sri Maharaja Hari Singh hospital in Srinagar on Tuesday morning. One cop was killed in the attack while another was left wounded.
The incident took place when policemen were escorting a Pakistani prisoner Naveed. The prisoner escaped during the firing and attackers fled the spot.
"Six detainee were being brought from Central Jail. Out of them, one snatched weapons from police and fired at the protection party. The prisoner's name is Naveed. He is probably an outsider," SSP Srinagar Imtiaz Ismail Parray was quoted as saying to ANI.
Abu Hanzulla alias Naveed Jatt, who escaped in the militant attack today, was arrested a few months ago in Shopian.
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According to eyewitness accounts, the militants opened fire as soon as Jhutt, along with five other prisoners and the police team, got off the vehicle outside the Out Patient Department of the 70-year-old hospital.
The militants were lying in wait in the parking lot of the hospital.
Two Lashkar militants rained bullets at the police party and fled in a car towards downtown Srinagar.
The hospital, named after Shri Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruler of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, is strategically located on the banks of a tributary of the river Jehlum, with uptown Karan Nagar on one side and Nawab Bazaar in downtown Srinagar on the other.
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Abu Hanzal was slain LeT commander Abu Dujana's accomplice. He was arrested in Yaripora village of kulgam in 2015. He had undergone training with Dujana. The police sources told Outlook that he is from Multan Pakistan and will bring new zeal and confidence in the LeT as several commanders of the LeT were killed in police operation last year including Abu Dujana, Abu Ismail.
The police sources apprehend that Hanzulla would carry out attacks and would likely coordinate with over ground workers.
When he was arrested he was holding charge as LeT district chief having alias Abu Hanzullah alias Munnu alias Chotu son of Mohammad Hanief Jat resident of Sahiwala, Multan Punjab Pakistan.
A one AK-47 rifle, 2 AK-47 magazines, 60 AK-47 rounds and one pouch was recovered from his possession during his arrest, according to the police claim.
Naveed was then district commander of LeT outfit for Shopian and close associate of LeT chief Abu Qasim. He started operating in South Kashmir since 2013.
Police had described the arrest as a major success for security forces.
Hanzullah was operating in South Kashmir since July 7, 2012 and was in Lolab area of North Kashmir for one year before arriving in South Kashmir.
Deputy inspector general police Ghulam Hassan Bhat told Outlook that a search and cordon has been launched around the area.
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The incident is significant as it shows the militants are moving in Srinagar and have started even operations in the winter capital.
With Agency Inputs
