A pall of gloom descended on Batagund and Kapran villages of Shopian in South Kashmir on Friday morning when the bullet-riddled bodies of three abducted policemen were found lying in an apple orchard on Friday morning. These policemen were dragged out of their houses in the early hours by heavily armed Pakistan-backed terrorists who barged into their homes. The killings have created an atmosphere of fear is South Kashmir.

The local chief of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terror outfit Reyaz Naikoo has claimed responsibility for the killings.

The slain policemen have been identified as Firdous Ahmad Kuchay, Kulwant Singh (both special police officers) and Nisar Ahmad, constable. Brother of a policeman also kidnapped by the terrorists was released unharmed.

The incident that has come amid the call by the HM and separatists for boycott of the ensuing panchayat and local body polls that has created fear among the SPOs. As many as six SPOs reportedly tendered their resignation immediately after the killings, with four of them uploading their resignation letters on social media.

“My name is Irshad Ahmad Baba and I was working as a constable in the police. I have rendered my resignation…,” one of them said in Kashmiri in a video.

The killings came hours after the brutal murder of an Army soldier in Kulgam area of South Kashmir. The soldier had come home to participate in the last rites of his 18-year-old son who was killed in a road accident.

Security forces had launched a massive search soon after the three policemen were abducted but were unable to trace them. The bodies of the policemen were later found with multiple bullet wounds.

In a video released earlier this week, Naikoo had asked all policemen and SPOs to resign within four days — by September 19 — and also upload their resignations on social media. He also threatened that they would be killed after lapse of the timeframe. He had kidnapped 14 policemen and their relatives last week but released them in exchange of his detained father.

The J-K Police’s official Twitter handle confirmed the killing of three policemen.

“We have lost 3 of our brave colleagues in a barbaric terror strike. Our tribute to the 3 martyred jawans Nisar Ahmad, Firdous Kuchay & Kulwant Singh. We condemn this inhuman act and assure that all the culprits shall be dealt under the law,” reads the tweet.

A wreath-laying ceremony for the slain policemen was held in the district police lines at Shopian on Friday.

The killing has been condemned by all sections of society. The separatists who always speak out for slain terrorists calling them martyrs have so far not uttered a word of condemnation for killing of the men in uniform.

Amid this spurt in the killing of innocent people, holding the civic polls has become a big challenge for the Centre as well as Governor Satya Pal Malik. Security of more than 1 lakh candidates expected to contest these polls, as also the election staff, has become a huge concern as the terrorists are likely to step up violence during the month-long polling. PDP, National Conference, CPI (M) and various other parties have announced the boycott of the elections.

Reacting to these killings, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, who quit as chief minister after the BJP ended its alliance with her party, said in a tweet the killings proved the central government’s “muscular policy” was not working. “Three more policemen have lost their lives to militant bullets. Outrage, shock and condemnation will be expressed by all of us on expected lines. Unfortunately, it brings no solace to the families of the victims,” Mufti tweeted.

Three more policemen have lost their lives to militant bullets. Outrage, shock & condemnation will be expressed by all of us on expected lines. Unfortunately, it brings no solace to the families of the victims. 1/2

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) September 21, 2018

Clearly, with the rise in kidnapping of police personnel and their families, Centre’s muscular policy is not working at all. Dialogue, the only way forward seems to be a distant dream for now. 2/2

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) September 21, 2018

National Conference spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu hit back, tweeting: “I’m appalled by Mehbooba Ji’s sense of occasion. Demanding talks and denouncing “Centre’s muscular policy” while condemning the barbaric killing of three abducted @JmuKmrPolice policemen is shocking even for her standards! Does she want talks with the killers of these policemen??”

CPI(M) MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, while condemning the incident, has expressed sympathies with the families of slain policemen.