- 2 CRPF men among 3 injured
- 23 youth arrested in Ratnipora, Kakapora in night raids
- Photojournalist beaten while covering protests
A civilian was killed and three other persons, including two CRPF personnel, were injured after militants hurled a grenade at a mobile bunker of the paramilitary force in Murran Chowk area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Friday.
The slain civilian has been identified as Muhammad Ayoob Wani, son of Muhammad Ahsan, a resident of Wusoo village in Pulwama district.
Talking to Kashmir Post, SP Pulwama, Rayees Muhammad Bhat said, “Yes a civilian has been killed and three others have received minor injuries in the attack.”
According to local sources, the attack took place at around 11:45 AM.
“The militants targeted a mobile bunker of the CRPF parked in the busy Murran Chowk area. The grenade hit the rear side of the vehicle and exploded creating panic in the area,” they said.
The injured were rushed to Pulwama district hospital where Wani was declared brought dead.
“He was brought dead to the hospital. A splinter had pierced through his heart,” a doctor at the hospital told Kashmir Post.
Police and CRPF men cordoned off the area following the blast and tried to locate the attackers who had by then vanished from the spot.
Meanwhile, a shutdown was observed in Ratnipora and Kakapora areas of the district after around two dozen youth were arrested in nocturnal raids in the two villages.
“Four people were arrested from Kakapora and another 19 from Ratnipora on charges of stone throwing. Police raided these areas last night and picked up the boys,” sources said.
In the morning, the shopkeepers downed their shutters to protest against the arrests.
While covering the protests in the area, a local photojournalist, Kamran Yousuf, was thrashed by policemen, who also threatened to smash his camera.
SP Pulwama termed the incident unfortunate and assured to look into the matter.
