Srinagar: Hours after militants shot dead a Municipal councilor in Kashmir who was travelling without his Personal Security Officers (PSOs), Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar issued an advisory on Thursday, asking the protected persons not to go anywhere without PSOs and assessment of the local threat.
“No protectee should go anywhere without PSOs. Visits are allowed only after ground assessment of local threats is done. Request is to all protectees not to violate SOPs and risk their lives unnecessarily,” the advisory read.
A Municipal councilor was shot dead by militants at Tral in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district late on Wednesday evening. Police said three unidentified terrorists fired upon RakeshPandita, Municipal Councillor town Tral, who was visiting his friend at TralPayeen. RakeshPandita succumbed to injuries whereas the daughter of his friend got seriously wounded.
Police said Pandita was residing in a secure accommodation at Srinagar and was provided with two PSOs (Personal Security Officers). He was not accompanied by the PSOs during his visit to Tral.
When militants attacked Pandita, police were dealing with another situation inside the SOG camp in Tral town where a surrendered militant, Mohammad Amin had injured a policeman after snatching his rifle when the surrendered militant was being questioned.
The surrendered militant had later taken refuge in a room inside the camp.
Police said after repeated persuasion to lay down his weapon failed, the surrendered militant was shot dead. (IANS)