New Delhi, Jan 6: Four policemen including an assistant sub-inspector were killed and two others were seriously injured in an IED blast, set off by terrorists in Sopore town of Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla District on Saturday. Three of the four slain policemen were identified as M Amin of Kupwara, Ghulam Nabi of Sopore and Irshad of Doda. Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) claimed responsibility for the attack on 3rd Battalion of Indian Reserve Police (IRP). Also Read - Indian Army Says Its Troops 'Exceeded' Powers Under AFSPA in Shopian Encounter, Initiates Disciplinary Proceedings

Speaking to DNA, Deputy Inspector General of police, North Kashmir Range, VK Birdhi said,”Terrorists detonated the IED when cops were deployed in the area.We have lost four boys in the incident.” Also Read - Pulwama-like Attack Averted After Army Recovers 52 kg Worth Explosives in Jammu and Kashmir

Taking to twitter, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said that she was deeply pained at the deaths. “Pained to hear that four policeman have been killed in an IED explosion in Sopore. My deepest condolences to their families,” Mufti tweeted.

Pained to hear that four policeman have been killed in an IED explosion in Sopore. My deepest condolences to their families. — Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) January 6, 2018

Authorities had deployed a large number of security forces in the market and other areas of Sopore to maintain law and order situation in the wake of the protest shutdown, called by the separatists to mark the 19th anniversary of the killings of some 55 people following a militant attack on security forces in 1993.

Notably, this is the first major incident of 2018 in which security forces have suffered casualties.