SRINAGAR: An apple trader hailing from Punjab, who was shot along with his colleague in Shopian on Wednesday, is battling for his life at SMHS hospital in Srinagar.
Twenty-four-year-old Sanjev Kumar is admitted at the hospital’s ICU with injuries in liver, intestines, arm and shoulder.
Kumar and his associate Charanjeet Singh were attacked by unknown gunmen when the two were loading their truck with apples in an orchard. Singh, the driver of the truck, died on the spot, while Kumar was rushed to district hospital Pulwama and later to SMHS for specialised treatment. Both are residents of Punjab.
A doctor at the hospital said that Kumar underwent a six-hour long operation and that his liver, large intestines and soft tissues of arm and shoulder were damaged.
“We have partly removed his large intestines. He is on life saving machine where he is under round-the clock observation of doctors. He is critical and nothing can be said about his recovery,” the doctor said.
The attack was third on non-local traders or labourers in Kashmir, and second on Wednesday itself. All the attacks took place in southern Kashmir.
On Monday, a truck driver hailing from Alwar was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Sirnoo village of Shopian, and his truck was torched. This was first attack by gunmen on a non-local in the aftermath of Article 370 abrogation on August 5 in Kashmir.
According to Kumar’s brother-in-law Rishi Doda, who flew in from Punjab, said Kumar had first visited Kashmir for apple trade last year. Earlier he traded with Kinow, but subsequently took up Kashmir apple trade.
Days before the attack, Doda said, Kumar had told his family on phone that all rumours about Kashmir being unsafe were untrue.
“He had no qualms about any danger or an attack. In Kashmir, he felt like he was at home. We are shocked. We pray for his recovery,” he added.

Junaid Nabi Bazaz