A special police officer (SPO) who had deserted the force in2017 is among the two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists behind the recent killing oftwo non-Kashmiri civilians and setting ablaze an apple-laden truck in Shopiandistrict of south Kashmir, officials said on Friday.

The authorities have put up posters in different areas ofShopian with the pictures of the terrorists -- former SPO Syed Naveed Mushtaqalias Naveed Babu of Nazneenpora and Rahil Magray of Ganavpora — and requestedthe people to share information that might lead to their capture.

The posters in Urdu read that the two terrorists were behindthe recent killing of an innocent truck driver and a trader and injuringanother trader, besides setting ablaze an apple-laden truck this week. Thoughthe police did not mention the group affiliation of the terrorists, officialssaid both were affiliated to the proscribed Hizbul Mujahideen.

Naveed deserted the police force to join the terrorist ranksin 2017 and is currently the district commander of the outfit, the officialssaid. He had decamped with four weapons then. He has been threatening applegrowers not to send their produce to Indian markets, they said.

The terror warning had come through posters and pamphlets inShopian, signed by Naveed alias "Babar Azam" immediately after theabrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status and division of the state intotwo union territories in early August.

A truck driver from Rajasthan, a migrant labourer fromChhattisgarh and an apple trader from Punjab were killed and another apple tradercritically injured in three separate attacks by terrorists in Shopian andPulwama districts of south Kashmir since Monday.

On Thursday, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singhvisited Shopian district and said that Pakistan-sponsored terrorists involvedin the recent killing of three civilians, including an apple trader, have beenidentified. The police chief called for stringent action against the elementsinimical to peace.

Expressing deep sorrow at the killing of the threecivilians, Singh said traders from other parts of the country come here to helpthe people by purchasing the produce of the valley.

“The local people have condemned such barbaric acts and arecooperating with the police,” he said, adding the situation throughout Jammu andKashmir is improving although Pakistan is trying to infiltrate more terroriststo create trouble and disturb peace in the valley.

Singh directed all field commanders of police, army and central armed police forces to work out extra security measures in consultationwith the local fruit traders.

Singh said loading points to transport apple from the Valleyto outside markets have been identified where extra security measures will betaken to ensure the safety of the civilians.