| Altaf 'Laptop' killing: 'Same source informed police, militants' | | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Oct 9: J&K police's one of the most active counterinsurgency official, Sub-Inspector Altaf Dar alias Laptop, who was killed by militants in Bandipora district on October 7, had allegedly fallen prey to a source trap.
A top police official told Early Times that they do not rule out that Altaf was double-crossed by his source who also revealed his movement to most wanted Lashkar-e-Taiba militant Abu Qasim.
"It is because of this suspicion that highest level investigations have been launched into the case," said the official.
"Altaf was like our encyclopedia on militancy. His death has dented our decade of expertise into electronic surveillance," said another police official, adding that Altaf's death was "biggest loss police suffered in the last one decade."
As per police sources, on the fateful day Altaf along with his team was following a load carrier in an unnumbered white sedan in Bandipora area, without any escort.
"As per the inputs received by Altaf, the load carrier was ferrying Abu Qasim and some other militants. But as the chase was on, suddenly militants jumped out of the vehicle and fired indiscriminately on Altaf's vehicle before running away," the sources said.
Before Altaf could act, two bullets hit him and he fell in a pool of blood. Though police quickly removed him to Srinagar in an army helicopter, he succumbed to injuries at the Army Hospital.
A police official said it was shocking that Altaf personally rushed to chase the militants. "He had a dedicated team of 40 commandos at his disposal. The only reason why Altaf was so confident to chase the militants alone was that the information must have come from some credible source," said the official.
Because of his professional capabilities, Altaf who was recruited as constable, bagged three promotions within five years till 2012, and was mostly operating from SOG camp at Cargo near Solina here.
Altaf was nicknamed Altaf Laptop after he purchased his first laptop for analyzing data for online surveillance when he was a constable.
"The moment police top brass would seek any information about militants, before speaking anything Altaf would open his laptop, which he always carried along. This was how he earned the sobriquet laptop," said a senior police official.
"His death is an irreparable loss for the police force and counterinsurgency," the official said. |
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