Shopian: A Special Police Officer (SPO) of the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police has been fatally shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Shopian district’s Vehil village on Saturday.

SPO Khushboo Jan was shot at around 2.40 pm at her home. Jan was in a critical condition and was shifted to a nearby hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. A senior police officer while confirming the incident said, “Khushboo was fired upon by suspected militants at her home. She was working as an SPO in the department.”

Meanwhile, the area has been cordoned off by the Armed forces and a manhunt has been launched to nab the gunmen.

The J&K Police released a statement saying, “Terrorists today fired on a policewoman Khushboo Jan at her village in Vehil area of Shopian district. She sustained critical injuries and was evacuated to a hospital where she succumbed. We condemn this gruesome terror act and stand by her family at this critical juncture.”

Separately, the police have also registered a case and initiated an investigation in the matter.

On Thursday night, a local was shot dead by terrorists in Gulzarpora area of Awantipora. The deceased Manzoor Ahmad Lone, who was a resident of Dogripora, was forcibly taken away by the militants. A case was registered in connection to the matter, said the J-K police.

“One individual was shot dead by terrorists in Gulzarpora, Awantipora last night. He has been identified as Manzoor Ahmad Lone, a resident of Dogripora. Initial investigation revealed that he was forcibly taken away by terrorists & shot dead. Case registered,” the officials had said.

On the same day, in Anantnag, a National Conference (NC) leader Mohammad Ismail Wani was shot at by terrorists. The leader was admitted to a hospital in critical condition.

A 25-year old man was also shot dead by terrorists outside his house at Pingleena village in south Kashmir’s Pulwama on Wednesday. A joint team of the Indian Army and Special Operations Group (SOG) has launched a cordon and search operation in the area to nab the assailants.

As per several reports, the deceased has been identified as soldier Ashiq Hussain of Jakli, son of Mohammed Yousuf Naik. He was shot by masked gunmen outside his home at Naik Mohalla.