Two Central Reserve Police Force soldiers and a special police officer were killed in a gunfight with suspected militants in Baramulla district on Monday, Jammu and Kashmir Inspector General Vijay Kumar said, ANI reported. The two CRPF jawans were initially injured in the gunfight but succumbed to their injuries after they were taken to a nearby hospital. The force said two more jawans were injured, of which one was in a critical condition.
A search operation was launched and two militants were killed after the attack. “So far, one attacker killed,” the Kashmir Zone Police tweeted on Monday morning. “Police and security forces are on the job. Operation going on. Further details shall follow.”
On Monday afternoon, the police said that another militant was killed. “One more terrorist killed (Total 02),” the Kashmir Zone Police tweeted. “Operation going on. Further details shall follow.”
The deceased security personnel have been identified as Special Police Officer Muzaffar Ali of District Police Baramulla, constable Lokesh Sharma and constable Khurshid Khan the 119 battalion CRPF, the force said in its statement.
The gunfight began after the suspected militants fired upon a joint checkpoint of the CRPF and police at Kreeri area of Baramulla district.
“The terrorists were engaged till the area was completely cordoned off with the help of reinforcement and the search operation was thereafter jointly launched by Baramulla Police, 29RR [Rashtriya Rifles] and CRPF,” the statement said. The CRPF said the militants were identified as Sajad Ahmad Mir alias Haider alias Jaja of Brath Kalan in Sopore, who they claimed was the Lashkar-e-Taiba chief of North Kashmir, and Anayatullah Mir of Andergam Pattan, affiliated with the terrorist group.
An Indian Army statement said an AK-47 rifle and two pistols were recovered from the militants.
The CRPF said Sajjad had a history of terrorist attacks since 2016. He was involved in planning and executing several attacks, on civilians and security personnel. He also recruited youth to the organisation. The force said Sajjad was also involved in setting two cars ablaze in Reban and Warpora in Sopore to “terrorise transporters for observing complete shutdown”.
The CRPF said Anayatullah Mir was involved in “threatening and harassing civilians in Pattan area and transporting of foreign terrorists from Northern Kashmir to Central/Southern Kashmir”.
The attack came days after militants killed two police officers at Nowgam on the outskirts of Srinagar. The police had blamed the Jaish-e-Mohammad for the attack.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!