Attack on BSF convoy turns into gunfight in Kulgam

ANANTNAG — Three days ahead of the Independence Day, an encounter broke out in Malpora, Mir Bazar area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district after militants first attacked a BSF convoy and later got trapped in the same area on Thursday.

The gunfight site witnessed clashes between youth and the security forces in which two youth sustained bullet injuries, who were shifted to GMC Anantnag for treatment, where the condition of one of the injured is stated as critical.

An official said that the militants attacked a CRPF convoy at Malpora Mir Bazar on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway in the afternoon.

“As the militants attacked the convoy, the fire was retaliated and militants got trapped in the area after which an encounter started,” the official said. “Militants got trapped in a nearby building while more reinforcement including 1 RR, CRPF and police were rushed to the spot.”

The official said an exchange of fire is going on from both sides. A CRPF man identified as Umesh Singh son of Prabu Singh from Jharkhand was injured who was shifted to Emergency Hospital Qazigund for treatment. “Two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants are believed to be trapped inside a building,” he said.

In the wake of gunfight, traffic has been halted on the highway and same is being diverted through other routes, the officials added.

Meanwhile, clashes broke out at the encounter site between youth and the security forces after which forces used tear smoke shells and aerial firing to disperse the protestors.

Eye-witnesses said that two youth sustained bullet injuries during clashes who were shifted to GMC Anantnag for treatment where the condition of one of the youth was stated as serious.

Hospital sources said that two youth were identified as Sahil Yaqoob Bhat of Dantar Anantnag, 25, and Shahid Farooq Sheikh of Kulgam.

“Sahil has received a bullet injury in lower abdomen and is being operated upon at the GMC. His condition is a bit critical,” a hospital source said, adding that another injured sustained bullet injury in his thigh and is stable.