Sopore: Terrorists attack patrol party; CRPF jawan martyred, civilian killed
One jawan of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was martyred and one civilian killed on Wednesday morning when terrorists opened fire at a patrol party in Sopore town, Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir. Three other jawans were injured. The town is 50 kilometer away from Srinagar. This terrible incident confirms that militancy is thriving in the Valley, even during a global health crisis.
Civilian was accompanied by three-year-old grandson when attack happened
The attack happened when security forces were busy with a combing operation. Director-General of Police Dilbag Singh confirmed the development adding that the entire area has been cordoned off. Kashmir Zone Police said a search is on to nab the terrorists. The civilian was in a car when the gunfire started. His three-year-old grandchild, who was accompanying him, was rescued.
One officer picked up the boy, consoled him
The official Twitter handle of Kashmir Zone Police released a picture of the boy. He was being consoled by an officer. Separately, spot visuals that emerged on social media showed that the child was, obviously, traumatized. He held a packet of half-eaten biscuits and cried as he sat inside a van. Another heartbreaking image showed him sitting on top of his dead grandfather.
What we saw was disturbing: SHO
SHO Azim Khan described the rescue operation as challenging. "When we reached the site, what we saw was disturbing. Our priority was to evacuate the child. It was very challenging as terrorists were firing. The child was going to Handwara with his grandfather," he said.
Last week, a six-year-old died in Anantnag
On Friday, similar scenes played out in Anantnag district. Terrorists attacked security forces in broad daylight, following which one CRPF jawan was martyred and a 6-year-old boy was killed. Yesterday, security forces launched an operation, killing two terrorists. Unfortunately, Zahid Dass, the one responsible for the death of the minor, managed to escape. Police had been tracking him since the Anantnag incident.
Over 100 terrorists have been killed this year: Top cop
Last month, Dilbag Singh declared that over 100 terrorists have been neutralized this year, making it one of the biggest achievements of security forces. With each operation, security forces are moving towards their goal of a terror-free Jammu and Kashmir. The maximum number of terrorists, over 50, belonged to the notorious Hizbul Mujahideen and 20 to Lashkar-e-Taiba, which operates from Pakistan, Singh revealed.
This week, Singh declared Doda "militancy free"
Moreover, on Monday, Singh declared Doda a "terrorist-free" zone after Masood, a commander of Hizbul, was eliminated during an encounter. He was wanted in Doda in connection to a rape case and reportedly joined the outfit while being on the run. "Doda district in Jammu Zone becomes totally militancy free once again as Masood was a last surviving terrorist," Singh said.
