Two cops injured in militant attack in Pulwama

Anantnag: A Panchayat member, affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was shot at and injured critically by suspected militants outside his home in Akhran area of Mirbazar, here in Kulgam district of South Kashmir.
The injured Panch has been identified as 32 year old Arif Ahmad Shah, son of Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, a resident of Nowpora in Akhran area. Shah is a shopkeeper by profession.
“His mother, Saleema, is also a Sarpanch,” a police source told Kashmir Reader.
As per police reports, Shah was walking back home when some unidentified gunmen intercepted him and shot at him from a close range.
“He has been shot in the neck and shoulder,” a senior police official said, adding that injured Shah was immediately evacuated to the nearby Trauma Hospital in Qazigund.
After receiving the basic first aid at the hospital Shah was shifted to the Government Medical College hospital in Anantnag, where he is being treated for his wounds.
“His wounds are grievous though and he might need specialized treatment. He might be shifted to Srinagar later,” a doctor at the hospital said.
Today’s shootout was the second incident in Mirbazar area within a fortnight. On the evening of July 22, unidentified men shot at and killed a former Ikhwani turned policeman in Furrah village of Mirbazar area.
Following today’s shootout a heavy contingent of government forces reached the spot and cordoned off the whole area. “Searches area being carried out to try and nab the attackers,” the police official said.
In Pulwama, two policemen sustained minor injuries after a joint area domination party of government forces came under an attack by suspected militants here in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.
The injured policemen have been identified as Head Constable Khursheed Ahmad and SPO, Ishfaq Ahmad. “Both have splinter injuries and have been discharged from the hospital after first aid,” a senior police official from Pulwama said.
The incident took place in Wanpora, Newa area of Pulwama district at about 9:15 PM Tuesday evening.
“The militants hurled a grenade and followed it by indiscriminate fire while a joint area domination party was patrolling the area,” the police official said, adding that the fire was retaliated and the militants managed to escape owing to darkness.
He said that two of the policemen however received minor splinter injuries in the blast.
After evacuation of the policemen to the hospital the area was cordoned off and searches were being carried out to track the attackers. “We believe they might be hiding in the area and a manhunt has been launched to track them down. Searches are being carried out as I speak to you,” the official said.

Suhail A Shah