GMC Kathua shootout | Injured PSI succumbs; SPO injured

Jammu, Apr 3:  Probationary Sub-Inspector (PSI) of Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) Deepak Sharma, who had sustained grievous injuries during fierce exchange of fire between the police and gangsters at Government Medical College (GMC), Kathua on April 2 night, succumbed during his treatment in a private hospital at Pathankot on Wednesday morning.

During the firing incident, one Special Police Officer (SPO) was also injured while a gangster Vasudev was killed.

Meanwhile, after paying homage to the JKP brave-heart during a wreath-laying ceremony, the Director General of Police (DGP) R R Swain asserted that JKP’s fight against narcotics and gangsterism was going to a “different level” and it would be entering into a “fight to finish” mode.

In a related development, Samba police this evening announced reward of Rs one lakh each for any information leading to arrest of two accused.

These accused included Luddan Sansiya, son of Pepy, resident of Kalyana, R S Pura, Jammu district and Rohit Kumar alias Makhan, 24, son of Bodh Raj, resident of Kotli Riyan, R S Pura, Jammu district. “Identity of the informer will be kept secret,” police said, while issuing details and photographs of the accused.

JKP FIGHTING FIERCE FIGHT AGAINST NARCOTICS, GANGSTERISM: DGP

DGP Swain, while responding to media queries about Kathua shootout incident, gave a peep into its background.

“Jammu zone police, in the recent past, had commenced a fierce fight against narcotics and gangsterism and this had been taken it to a new level by the field police officers at the district and Thana level. Three months ago, an incident of revenge killing (by these gangsters) as an outcome of old enmity among them had occurred. Since then an effort (by police) had been there to initiate a meaningful, purposeful action against them (gangsters), which could prove to be more stringent and deterrent in its outcome as compared to previous strategies,” he said

“Obviously, the police, fully equipped with their (gangsters) criminal record, had been after them. Yesterday’s incident, though part of that continuous action, however proved to be very unfortunate for us as we suffered the loss of a young enthusiastic officer PSI Deepak Sharma. As per the poignant account of his colleagues and senior officers, the officer had a different level of commitment and will against narcotics and gangsterism and he would participate in such operations with that laudable enthusiasm,” DGP said.

Giving further account of shootout in GMC premises, DGP said, “Yesterday, (police) teams had gone for such an operation after gathering secret input that he (gangster) would come at that particular place. As per reports, he (gangster) was joined by some of his accomplices. Ordinary criminals, even gangsters, generally had fear of uniform and they avoid a direct face-off with the police. However, at our own level, police was assessing as to how these gangsters in nexus with those involved in narcotics, could get so emboldened that they were not only carrying weapons but they also dared to use them (against the police).”

“At this moment, we would say only that this has emerged as a new war for us. So we will go at it hammer and tongs to finish it (narcotics-gangsterism). We will not let sacrifice of our young Sub-Inspector in fight against narcotics and gangsterism go waste. We will upscale this fight three-to-four times to take it to fight-to-finish level to ensure that the last person involved in gangsterism and narcotics syndicate is eliminated,” DGP vowed.

‘WILL NOT ALLOW EMERGENCE OF PUNJAB-TYPE CRIMINAL SYNDICATE IN J&K’

DGP Swain, in reply to a question related to attempts to create Punjab like criminal syndicate in J&K, said, “A well-planned and wider stratagem is under process to go to the roots of criminal syndicate, involving illegal land-dealings, narcotics, bovine (smuggling), which they (criminals/gangsters) are trying to build (create) on the pattern of Punjab to take undue advantage of unprecedented development activities taking place in J&K. They (criminals) are proliferating activities as industries, business activities are flourishing in J&K. All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) and other educational institutions are coming up here bolstering economic activities here. This is why these gangsters, goons are getting involved in illegal land-deals. But we will eliminate this menace.”

With regard to further updates about shootout and subsequent action, he said that the gangster, who had opened fire, was killed.

“Rest of the details, I cannot divulge as it can affect our ongoing investigation. I can only tell you that the police teams, which had gone there following a specific input, wanted to catch him (wanted gangster) alive. Police personnel do not open fire on seeing the criminals. Thus element of surprise is with them and taking advantage of that, they seize the initiative (open fire) as police have to follow rule of law,” Swain said.

“We are not in a position to divulge further details of the incident as it will hamper our investigation. Our effort was to arrest the accused,” he said, adding “police do not open fire on seeing a criminal and the surprise remains with the opponent and it is he who attacks first because we are bound by the law of the land and they take advantage of it,” he added.

Earlier a police spokesperson said that PSI Deepak Sharma (PID No. EXJ/196480), 32, son of Jyoti Parkash, resident of Sangoor near Railway Station Udhampur, succumbed to critical head injuries he had sustained during firing incident occurred between police and gangsters near GMC Kathua on April 2 at around 10.35 pm.

“SPO Anil Kumar (Belt No.80/DS), 40, son of Ashok Kumar, resident of Ramgarh, Samba was also injured during firing incident. Both PSI Deepak and SPO Anil were presently posted at Police Station Ramgarh. One gangster died in shootout. The Injured police officer was shifted from GMC Kathua to Amandeep Hospital, Pathankot for treatment. However, this morning, he (PSI Deepak Sharma) succumbed to his injuries during treatment and his body shifted to GMC Kathua,” the spokesperson added.

HOMAGE PAID TO SLAIN OFFICER

Later, a wreath-laying ceremony held at District Police Lines (DPL), Samba where DGP accompanied by ADGP Jammu and other senior police officers and officials paid tributes to the slain officer. The parents and wife of slain officer also laid wreaths amid emotional scenes that marked sombre ceremony.

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of PSI Deepak Sharma, a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty while fearlessly fighting and neutralising a most wanted gangster in Kathua last night. His dedication and bravery will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. Rest in peace #Martyr Deepak Sharma. #UltimateSacrifice",” JKP paid homage on ‘X.’

Later, Udhampur Police also paid homage to PSI Deepak Sharma.

In a solemn ceremony, DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range, DC Udhampur, SSP Udhampur, SSP Samba and Commandants of armed/IR and other officers from police and civil administration were among those, who presented wreaths and paid floral tribute to the breave-heart who made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

PSI Deepak’s last rites were attended by thousands of locals as a mark of heartfelt gratitude to the brave officer who laid down his life to ensure public safety.