A Lashkar-e-Taiba militant escaped on Tuesday from a hospital in Srinagar where he was taken for a medical check-up. Muhammad Naveed Jatt, a resident of Multan in Pakistan Punjab, escaped from Shiri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital after his associates fired at policemen accompanying him.
Jatt, who was arrested in 2014, had told police that he had trained with Ajmal Kasab, the lone gunman captured alive after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. Kasab was hanged in 2012.
Police suspect Jatt's associates had prior information about his movements. A police spokesman said six prisoners were brought to the hospital from the Srinagar central jail for a medical checkup.
''One of them was Naveed Jatt. When he was brought to the hospital, there was an incident of firing in which two cops were injured. They later succumbed to their injuries,'' a senior police officer said. ''None of the weapons of the policemen was taken away by militants.''
Police said a nursing orderly of Central Jail Srinagar was also accompanying the six prisoners with medical records. The escort party was deputed by police from District Police Lines Srinagar.
Director General of Police (DGP), Prisons, has ordered an internal probe to look into any lapses and the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) has been appointed the inquiry officer.
The deceased policemen were identified as Mushtaq Ahmed and Babar Ahmed Khan. Ahmed hailed from Karnah in Kupwara. He is survived by a ten -year- old daughter. Khan belongs to Shangus in Anantnag. He has two daughters, aged four and three.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Muft and opposition leader Omar Abdullah said they were grieved by the killing of the two policemen. Mehbooba 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 one.''
Omar tweeted: “Two J&K policemen killed by terrorists inside Srinagar’s premier hospital. Heartfelt condolences to the families of Constables Mushtaq & Babar.''
