Sources said that the alleged militant, Shakeel Ahmad Kasana, who was killed in the attack, was an undertrial associated with the Hizbul Mujahideen and former bodyguard of Hizbul Mujahideen chief commander, Syed Salahudin.
"The police vehicle was on the way to Baramulla Sub-Jail to lodge Kasana. Four constables and a civilian, Ghulam Nabi Malik, were injured in the attack," a police spokesperson said. He added, "Kasana was referred to SKIMS for treatment, where he died. A case has been registered and investigation has been taken up," he said.
Sources said Kasana was detained last year and booked under the Public Safety Act. However, the J&K High Court had recently quashed the PSA orders. No militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack. Soon after the attack, the police launched a search and cordon operation around Batamaloo, though the culprits could not be traced.
Meanwhile, the police claim to have busted an extortionist gang that was planning to attack the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.