Budgam, Jul 24: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday spoke to the family of Jammu and Kashmir Police head constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, who was killed in a terrorist attack in Anantnag district on Wednesday.
Shah spoke to Qureshi’s son during the visit of BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma to the residence of the slain policeman in the Beerwah area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Paying rich tributes to the martyred policeman, Sharma described his sacrifice as an act of exceptional courage and dedication in the service of the nation. He said Head Constable Ashiq Hussain laid down his life while performing his official duties and noted that two generations of the family have served the country with distinction.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the family, the LoP said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had personally spoken to the martyr’s son over the phone, conveyed his heartfelt condolences, and assured the family of all possible assistance from the Central Government.
According to Sharma, the family also shared their concerns directly with the Home Minister, who reaffirmed that the Government of India (GoI) stands firmly with them during this difficult time and would extend every possible support.
The LoP said the sacrifice of Head Constable Ashiq Hussain would be remembered with honour and dignity. “Efforts would be made to commemorate the martyr’s bravery by naming a school or another public institution after him as a lasting tribute to his exceptional service and supreme sacrifice,” he said.
Referring to the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Sharma said terrorist attacks targeting innocent civilians had significantly declined over the past four years. He described the recent attack in Anantnag as the first major incident of its kind in the Kashmir Valley in nearly 18 months, while reiterating the government’s commitment to combating terrorism.
Highlighting the role of the J&K Police, the LoP said the force has consistently safeguarded the lives of people in the Union Territory and has played a vital role in counter-terrorism operations. He expressed support for providing risk allowances to police personnel, stating that the government is actively working on the proposal and that the force deserves such recognition for its sacrifices.
“The Jammu and Kashmir Police is one of the finest police forces in the country. It has played a crucial role in weakening terrorism at the grassroots and continues to fight against the menace with courage and professionalism,” he said.
Responding to a question regarding the regularisation of Special Police Officers (SPOs), Sharma said there is a separate mechanism within the police department for their recruitment and career progression. He said that before the Narendra Modi-led government came to power, SPOs received a monthly honorarium of only Rs 3,000, often with delays.
“The honorarium has since been increased to around Rs 18,000 and is now disbursed regularly,” he said. Sharma added that SPOs also have a separate quota in recruitment to the police department and that the Central government is working towards further enhancement of their remuneration and welfare.
