Officials said the trainee policeman died when he was hit by the bullet of the sentry at the training school.

“Investigation is going on to ascertain the exact circumstances that resulted in the death of the trainee policeman. The trainee policeman was undergoing a basic recruitment training course at PTS Manigam,” the officials said.

More details were awaited in the case.

J&K Police have been focusing on basic and specialised training courses at various police training institutions and also undergoing specialised training programmes with the Army and the CAPFs to meet the complex challenges of maintaining law and order while combating terrorism sponsored from across the border.

The number of local policemen, who laid down their lives for the country, fighting terrorism despite the gravest danger to their families, is matched by no other police force in the country.

It is for this reason that the J&K Police force was awarded the President of India’s colour. While presenting the President’s colour to J&K Police, the then President, APJ Abdul Kalam said, “I have brought great admiration for you because you are the force, the first force that has been dealing with all types of terrorism. You have made great sacrifices, 860 people, who have given their lives for the safety and security of the country”.

The colours were given to the J&K Police on June 25, 2003. The President’s Colours Award is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon any armed forces unit of India. It is also known as ‘Nishan’, which is an emblem that is worn by all unit officers on the left-hand sleeve of their uniform.

Courtesy Media Group: IANS