Entire nation proud of SHO Arshad Khan’s valour: Amit Shah

Mr Shah, who arrived here on a two-day visit to Kashmir, on Wednesday reviewed the overall security situation, including arrangements made for the ensuing pilgrimage to holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, and visited the residence of Khan at Balgarden Karan Nagar this morning amid unprecedented security arrangements.

After visiting Khan's residence, Mr Shah tweeted, “Visited the home of inspector Arshad Khan, SHO Anantnag in Srinagar, who was martyred in a terror attack & offered my condolences to the bereaved family. His sacrifice for the security of our nation has saved many lives. Entire nation is proud of Arshad Khan‘s valour & courage.”

All roads leading to the house of the SHO were sealed since early this morning. Security forces and state police personnel had been deployed on both sides of the road to foil any militant attack during the visit.

Khan was critically wounded in a fidayeen attack at K P Road Anantnag on June 12 in which five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed and four others were wounded. A woman was also injured in the attack. The lone militant was also killed by the security forces in the retaliatory firing. However, he was not identified but a local militant outfit Al-Umar claimed responsibility for the attack.

Khan was admitted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi where he succumbed on June 16.

Two Assistant Sub Inspectors Ramesh Kumar, Neeru Sharma, constable Satinder Kumar, M K Kushwa and Mahesh Kumar were also martyred in the attack.

This was the first major attack by militants since the Pulwama attack in February this year in which over 40 CRPF personnel were killed and several others injured.