Routine Duty Turns Fatal: J&K Head Constable Killed In Chilling Anantnag Attack

Last Updated:July 22, 2026, 22:49 IST

Head Constable Ashiq Ahmad was shot dead by a terrorist in a brazen daylight attack in the heart of Anantnag town on Tuesday

A routine day on duty ended in tragedy for Head Constable Ashiq Ahmad, a policeman whose family had already paid the price while serving in the police, when he was shot dead by a terrorist in a brazen daylight attack in the heart of Anantnag town on Wednesday.

Qureshi, 45, of the 3rd Battalion of the India Reserve Battalion, was attached with the Special Operations Group (SOG), Anantnag, and was deployed at the Lal Chowk area when a terrorist struck in what officials described as a shoot-and-scoot attack.

According to officials, the attack took place at around 12:30 pm. CCTV footage captured the chilling sequence of events. The footage shows the assailant emerging from a narrow lane with what appears to be an assault rifle concealed inside a sack. Waiting for the right moment, the attacker approached from behind as Ashiq turned after stepping down from a shop and opened fire at close range before fleeing.

Sources said the policeman sustained three injuries, including an entry-and-exit wound to the left side of his chest. Personnel who were deployed with Ashiq retaliated, but the terrorist escaped by taking advantage of the rain-soaked conditions and the crowded market, disappearing into the busy streets before security forces could corner him.

He was rushed to the Government Medical College, Anantnag, where doctors declared him dead later. The slain policeman is a resident of Lalpora, Beerwah, in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

According to reports, the policeman had spoken to his family over the phone barely an hour before the attack, unaware that it would be their final conversation with him.

A shopkeeper, who witnessed the attack outside his store, told News18 that the policeman collapsed right in front of his shop. “I was standing at the entrance with my salesman," the shopkeeper recalled. “When we saw him fall, we heard gunfire and rushed inside." He added that the victim was a friendly police officer who would occasionally join them for a cup of tea.

Two bullet marks are visible on his shop: one on the wall and another where a gunshot pierced the front display glass of this electronics shop.

His death has brought back painful memories for the family, marking the second tragedy in two generations of police service. His father, Head Constable Ghulam Mohiuddin, died in 1995, after being caught in a landslide in Ramban district while on official duty.

Following his father’s death, Ashiq joined 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. Qureshi is survived by his wife and three children – two sons and a daughter.

This is seen as a major attack during the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, which is currently suspended due to adverse conditions. The route of the Yatra is barely 2 kilometres away from the scene of the incident. This attack also marks the first targeted killing of a Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel in a long time. Security and investigators are analysing CCTV footage and other forensic evidence to establish his escape route and identify any accomplices.

Emotional scenes unfolded during the wreath-laying ceremony of the slain head constable, where grieving family members broke down in tears as they paid their final respects to him.

His family, including his elderly mother and other relatives, stood near the tricolour-draped coffin, struggling to hold back their emotions as they bid him a final farewell. The wreath-laying ceremony was attended by police personnel, security officials, and colleagues, who gathered to honour the slain head constable before his mortal remains were taken for the last rites to his native village.

Following the killing, security forces launched a massive cordon-and-search operation across Anantnag and adjoining areas. The Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army and other security agencies have intensified searches, while additional checkpoints and vehicle inspections have been put in place.

The attack also triggered a Valley-wide counter-terrorism response, with security agencies detaining over 2000 suspects across several districts in what police described was aimed at dismantling terror support networks.

About the Author

Ieshan Wani

Ieshan Wani, senior correspondent, CNN-News18, has over eight years of experience in reporting, producing and editing news for broadcast, digital and print platforms. His reporting has mostly been fro...Read More

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