The ransacking of a police officer’s house by militants in Shopian in south Kashmir has sparked off fears that militants could target the families of cops involved in anti-militancy operations.
A group of heavily armed militants ransacked the house of a police officer in Shopian on Saturday. More than 45,000 police men in a force of over 90,000 belong to Kashmir.
The terrified family of the deputy superintendent (DySP) posted with special operations group (SoG) of police reluctantly shared the details of the raid with the higher ups as they fear further intimidation by militants.
Sources said the militants damaged some electronic gadgets and ransacked the property at the SoG officer's house. None of the family members was harmed.
The attackers warned the family of serious consequences in case the officer did not disassociate himself from counter insurgency operation, sources said.
The militants reportedly told the family that their son was destroying property of the militants and their supporters. Allegations of harassment of family members of militants and their sympathisers are a routine in Kashmir, but the militant raids on houses of police officers are rare.
Most of the houses that shelter militants are destroyed during encounters.
A senior officer in Shopian said the police is investigating the matter. “Legal action will be initiated against the culprits,’’ he said.
