A Central Reserve Police Force jawan died after he was injured in a gunfight with Lashkar-e-Taiba militants in the Karan Nagar locality of Srinagar on Monday. The constable was identified as Mujahid Khan, a resident of Bihar and part of the CRPF’s 49 Battalion, according to the Hindustan Times.
“The freedom fighters of Lashkar-e-Taiba continue to seize control of the stronghold in Karan Nagar,” the militant group’s chief in Jammu and Kashmir, Mehmood Shah, said in a statement.
Security forces had launched a search operation after the militants went inside an abandoned building near the CRPF camp. All roads leading to the locality were sealed and intermittent exchanges of fire were reported. People living within the cordoned-off area, however, have begun to protest, according to Rising Kashmir.
The local administration suspended 3G and 4G services in Srinagar following the encounter, ANI reported.
The camp is located very close to the Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital, where a Lashkar-e-Taiba militant killed a policeman and escaped custody on February 6.
Earlier on Monday, security forces had foiled the militants’ attempt to strike the paramilitary camp, PTI reported. “The sentry at the camp noticed two suspicious persons around 4.30 am, carrying backpacks and weapons,” an unidentified CRPF spokesperson said. “He challenged them and opened fire as well.”
Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police SP Vaid congratulated the CRPF for thwarting the militant attack.
“We have called our quick reaction team, and a team from Jammu and Kashmir Police are on task near the camp periphery,” CRPF Inspector General Ravideep Shahi told India Today. “No fire came in from militant side, who disappeared into dark alleys.” He said five families were evacuated from the building.
The attack comes two days after suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed militants attacked the Sunjuwan Army camp in Jammu. Five soldiers, a civilian and three militants were killed in the attack, while six soldiers and six civilians were reportedly injured.
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