Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Apr 27: Three Army personnel including a senior officer and two militants were killed as militants stormed into an Army base in Panzgam village of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district early today. A civilian was also killed in security forces firing on protesters who were demanding bodies of the two slain militants.
Srinagar based Defence spokesman, Lt Col Rajesh Kalia said that two militants were killed after they attacked an Army camp in the wee hours today at Panzgam village of Kupwara today. He said that three Army personnel including a senior officer were also killed in the attack.
Sources said that militants hurled grenades and fired indiscriminately on the Army personnel and stormed into Army camp at Panzgam village, which resulted in the injuries to at least five Army personnel
The injured troopers were airlifted to the Base Hospital for specialized treatment and three among the injured including a senior officer succumbed to their injuries.
Army’s Quick Reaction Team (QRT) gunned down two militants while third one managed to escape under the cover of darkness.
The slain have been identified as Captain Ayush Yadav, Subedar Bhoop Singh Gujjar and Naik Bhoota Venkata. The identity of the militants is being ascertained.
Colonel Sourab Joshi told reporters at Panzgam that early in the morning alert troops noticed at least 3-4 militants cutting the wire and were challenged by the troops. He said that they fired at the troops leading to a gun battle.
Col Joshi said that the militants tried to make their way towards the residential area in the camp. He, however, said that the troops engaged them and neutralised two of them and one of the militants managed to escape in injured condition. He said that his rifle has, however, been recovered and massive operation was launched to hunt him down. He said that 3 AK 47s, 9 magazines, 56 AK rounds, one UBGL, three UBGL grenades and three hand grenades were recovered from the encounter site.
And later a man was killed and three others were injured after Army opened fire on protesters seeking bodies of two militants who attacked an Army camp.
The people of Panzgam assembled outside the Army camp which had come under attack and were demanding bodies of the militants killed in the gun battle.
Army fired on civilian protesters and one of the civilians identified as Mohammad Yusuf, 55, died on the spot. He was hit by a bullet in neck. Soon after the killing of civilian, the protests which broke out in morning in Panzgam, Chowkibal and adjoining villages intensified.
Soon after the attack in the morning, locals of the Chowkibal and its adjoining villages clashed with security forces. Police had to use dozens of teargas shells and also resort to aerial firing to disperse these protesters. The protesters were demanding bodies of the two militants for burial.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti paid rich tributes to the officer and two jawans of the Army who were killed in an encounter.
She extended her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of slain soldiers. She has also expressed anguish over the death of a person in protests during the day in the area.
In a statement, Mehbooba Mufti said that an unending cycle of violence has got unleashed in our society which is devouring it and pushing Kashmir towards darkness.
She appealed the people to come forward in bringing this cycle of violence to an end and help the Government in its efforts of restoring normalcy and peace in the Valley.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
