Amit Shah Speaks With Son of Slain J&K Policeman, Honours His Sacrifice and Assures Full Government Support

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday reached out to the family of India Reserve Police (IRP) head constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, who was killed in a militant attack in Anantnag earlier this week.

Speaking over the phone from New Delhi, Shah conveyed his deepest condolences to Qureshi’s son and assured the bereaved family that the government stands firmly with them in this moment of profound grief. The call was facilitated in the presence of a BJP delegation led by Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma, underscoring the significance the government attaches to the sacrifice made by the slain policeman as put by him.

During the conversation, Shah expressed sorrow over the loss of a “brave and dedicated” police officer and said that the entire nation shares the family’s pain. He prayed for strength and resilience for them to endure what he described as an irreparable loss. Acknowledging Qureshi’s “supreme sacrifice” in the line of duty, the Home Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the family and ensuring their welfare. He also assured Qureshi’s son that he would meet him personally during his next visit to Kashmir, a gesture widely interpreted as a mark of respect for the fallen policeman.

Qureshi was shot dead in a chilling “shoot‑and‑scoot” attack carried out by a lone gunman in the bustling Lal Chowk–Acchabal Adda area of Anantnag, around 55 kilometres south of Srinagar, on Wednesday. The attack took place in a crowded commercial zone, sending shockwaves across Jammu and Kashmir and prompting an immediate and extensive security response. The Resistance Front (TRF), which security agencies describe as a proxy outfit of the proscribed Lashkar‑e‑Taiba (LeT), later claimed responsibility for the killing through a social media post.

In the aftermath of the attack, authorities intensified counter‑terror operations across the region. Security forces demolished the family homes of two LeT militants in Anantnag district, and more than two thousand former militants and Over Ground Workers (OGWs) were detained for questioning and verification. Officials said the crackdown aims to prevent further militant strikes, gather actionable intelligence, and identify individuals who may have facilitated Wednesday’s attack on the IRP personnel.

However, several prominent Kashmiri political leaders, including former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and former minister and J&K People’s Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone issued strong warnings to the government and security agencies. They cautioned that demolishing homes of alleged militants and detaining large numbers of civilians could deepen public alienation and exacerbate tensions rather than curb terrorism. Chief Muslim cleric Mirwaiz Muhammad Umar Farooq said, “The killing should be investigated and those responsible be dealt with according to law. But innocent youth and their families should not be made scapegoats and made to suffer”. He added, “Reports of home demolitions of suspected militants, rendering their families homeless, is another extrajudicial and unjust measure. Such measures deepen resentment and are ultimately counterproductive”.

Earlier on Friday, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited Lalpora in the Beerwah area of central Budgam district to meet Qureshi’s family. He offered heartfelt tributes to the slain head constable and assured the family of the nation’s unwavering support. In a social media post, Sinha said he had met the family to express solidarity and honour the “supreme sacrifice” made by the brave police officer. He wrote that Qureshi’s courage and devotion to duty would “forever inspire us,” adding that the nation salutes his service and stands firmly with his loved ones.

Highlighting the government’s resolve to combat terrorism, Sinha said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the J&K Police, the Indian Army, and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) are working in close coordination to dismantle the terror ecosystem in the Union Territory. He emphasised that Qureshi’s legacy of selfless service, patriotism, and love for the motherland would continue to inspire future generations and strengthen collective efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous J&K. The Lt .Governor reiterated that the nation remains indebted to the Bravehearts who lay down their lives in the service of the country and affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the families of martyrs.

On Thursday, Sinha chaired a high‑level security meeting at the Lok Bhavan here to review the overall security situation and assess preparations for the Amarnath Yatra, which is expected to resume soon after being suspended due to hostile weather conditions since July 19. The meeting was attended by heads of major intelligence and security agencies, who briefed the Lt. Governor on the current security landscape and the status of the pilgrimage. Sinha directed officials to maintain heightened vigilance, intensify intelligence‑driven anti‑terror operations, and proactively neutralize emerging threats. He also reviewed logistics and safety arrangements for the Yatra in light of recent heavy rainfall and inclement weather across the region. End it