Srinagar, July 22, KDC: The Jammu and Kashmir Police head constable who was killed in a terrorist attack in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday had joined the force under the SRO-43 compassionate appointment scheme after his father, also a policeman, lost his life while in service more than three decades ago.
The deceased has been identified as Head Constable Aashiq Hussain Qureshi of IRP 3rd battalion attached with SOG Anantnag , son of Late Head Constable Ghulam Mohiuddin Qureshi, a resident of Lalpora, Beerwah in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Officials told Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that at around 12:30 pm, a suspected terrorist opened fire on a police party near Lal Chowk, Anantnag, critically injuring Qureshi in what appeared to be a shoot-and-scoot attack. He was immediately shifted to Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Family members said Qureshi had spoken to them over the phone about an hour before the attack. None of them knew it would be their last conversation with him.
Soon after the attack, police and other security forces rushed to the spot, cordoned off the area and launched a massive search operation to trace the assailants. Additional reinforcements were rushed to the town, while security was heightened across the district. Investigation into the attack is underway.
Preliminary CCTV footage that surfaced on social media after the attack shows a man dressed in dark clothing and wearing a black cap, apparently carrying what appears to be an assault rifle concealed in a bag, moving through the locality shortly after the attack. Security agencies are examining CCTV footage from multiple locations as part of the investigation. Officials, however, have neither officially identified the individual seen in the footage nor confirmed any link between him and the attack.
Aashiq’s death marks a second tragedy for the family in service. His father, Head Constable Ghulam Mohiuddin Qureshi, lost his life in 1995 after coming under a landslide in Ramban district while on official duty. Following his father’s death, Aashiq Hussain Qureshi was appointed to the Jammu and Kashmir Police under the SRO-43 compassionate appointment policy, which provides government employment to an eligible family member of an employee who dies while in service.
According to family sources, Qureshi was about 45 years old and is survived by his wife, three children—two sons and a daughter—his widowed mother, a brother and three married sisters. His death has left the family devastated, as he had joined the Jammu and Kashmir Police to support them after losing his father in the line of duty. Relatives described him as a humble, soft-spoken and dedicated police officer who was deeply committed to both his family and his profession. They said he was known for his honesty, discipline and willingness to help others, adding that his untimely death has left an irreplaceable void in the family and the entire village.
Meanwhile, The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy outfit of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for the attack through a social media post. However, there has been no official confirmation from security agencies regarding the claim.
Meanwhile, the Kashmir Zone Police, in a post on X, cautioned media organisations and the general public against circulating photographs and videos related to the Anantnag terror attack. The police said it had observed that certain media organisations and individuals were sharing visuals of the incident on various platforms and warned that such dissemination could hamper the ongoing investigation, compromise public security and attract legal action under the relevant provisions of law. It said strict action would be taken against violators.
Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat, accompanied by the Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, and other senior officers, visited the scene of the attack to review the security situation and oversee the investigation.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in a post on X, said he had spoken to DGP Nalin Prabhat to review the situation following the terror attack. Expressing condolences, the Lieutenant Governor said, “My heartfelt condolences to the family of Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, who sacrificed his life in the line of duty. The whole country stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the family of the martyr. I strongly condemn this cowardly attack. This heinous act will not go unpunished. J&K Police and our security forces are on the ground and will bring those responsible to justice.”
The attack comes at a time when the Amarnath Yatra has remained suspended since July 19 due to adverse weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, landslides and flash floods across Jammu and Kashmir. Significantly, it is the first terrorist attack in the Kashmir Valley since the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, ending months of relative calm. Despite the lull in attacks, security forces have continued intensive anti-terror operations in the forested areas of the Jammu region to eliminate terrorist presence.
Senior police officers said those responsible would be tracked down and brought to justice. Security has been intensified across Anantnag district, while investigations into the attack are underway. (KDC)
