A Special Police Officer who deserted Special Operation Group of police in Budgam two days ago escaped after a brief gunfight even as his associate was apprehended in Chadoora area of central Kashmir district. 

“On a specific input regarding presence of deserter SPO who decamped with two AK-47 rifles two days ago along with his associate in Chadoora area of Budgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 53RR and 181Bn CRPF in the area,” a police spokesperson said .
“As the joint team reached near the target location, the hiding deserter SPO alongwith his associate fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated by the joint team, leading to a brief gunfight,” he said, adding, “During the ensuing gunfight, the SPO managed to escape from the spot however, his associate was captured alive.”
The captured associate has been identified as Jahangir Ahmad Bhat, “an OGW and a notorious stone pelter.”
“One of the AK 47 rifles decamped by the deserted SPO was recovered from his possession,” the spokesperson said, adding, “IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar has appreciated the police and security forces for showing maximum restraint by arresting the militant associate during live encounter. He has further appealed the family of SPO Altaf to help police in bringing him back.”
The spokesman said that a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated in connection with the incident.