J&K Police Officer Injured in Anantnag Attack Dies at Delhi's AIIMS, Governor Condoles Demise

Srinagar: The police inspector who was critically injured in the militant attack in J&K's Anantnag district on June 12 succumbed to his injuries on Sunday afternoon at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi.

the officer, Arshad Ahmad Khan, the SHO of Saddar Police station in Anantnag, reached the site soon after militants opened fire at the security personnel on KP Road in Anantnag. The moment he stepped out of his official bulletproof vehicle, along with his service rifle, a barrage of bullets were fired by the terrorist. One ricocheted from the butt of his service rifle and hit his liver and duodenum, the officials said.

Khan, 37 was rushed to the 92 Base Hospital of the Army in Srinagar in critical condition. On Saturday, he was referred to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in Srinagar. Khan was flown to Delhi on Sunday afternoon in an air ambulance for specialised treatment at the AIIMS

Soon after being admitted on Sunday afternoon, his condition started deteriorating further. The doctors made efforts to revive him but failed, the officials said.

With Khan's death, the toll in the terrorist attack rose to six, including five CRPF personnel. Khan is survived by wife and two sons, aged four and one.

Five personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed and a civilian was injured in the attack, which was carried out by the Al-Umar Mujahideen militant outfit. A foreign militant was also killed in the attack.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik expressed grief over the demise of police officer Arshad Khan.

In his message, the Governor paid rich tributes to Khan and described his demise as a big loss to the police department, an official spokesman said.

"We are all grateful to such brave hearts who are sacrificing their lives for security of the nation," the Governor said.

Malik prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and expressed sympathy and solidarity with family members of the deceased, the spokesman said.

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also condoled Khan's death.

"Terrible news. Nothing seems to stop this endless cycle of violence. My condolences to his family," she wrote on Twitter.

State unit of the BJP paid rich tributes to the police officer. BJP state spokesperson Altaf Thakur said Khan was a brave heart who faced militancy from the front and took a bullet in his chest.

Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh said the Jammu and Kashmir Police has lost one of its brilliant officers.

"We made every effort to see that the officer survives, but unfortunately we lost him. It is a sad day for J-K Police family which lost yet another son to the wanton violence being perpetrated from across the border," Singh said.

Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) Swayam Prakash Pani expressed his condolences and said "he was a true braveheart and a people-friendly Station House Officer. His expertise in counter insurgency operations were unmatchable".

"I was hopeful that he will win the battle for his life but unfortunately we lost him today," Pani said.

Khan received praise from senior officials for his prompt and courageous response after the terrorist attack.

Known for his professional brilliance, Khan's popularity could be gauged from the fact that around 70 locals from his area of posting gathered there to enquire about his health.

People at Chadoora in Central Kashmir, where he was earlier posted as Station House Officer, offered prayers and sacrificed goats for his well-being.

Khan, who was posted in the volatile south Kashmir for some years now, "was a brilliant operational officer", recalled one of his senior officers.

(With PTI inputs)