Major among 2 army men killed in Shopian ambush
Two army men, including a Major, were killed while another was injured as militants opened fire on a search party in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Thursday.
Major Kamlesh Pandey, Sepoys Tanzin Chhultim and Kirpal Singh were injured when militants opened fire at a joint search party of 62 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), SOG and CRPF at Matribugh Zaipora. The injured soldiers were evacuated to Army’s 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar for treatment but Major Pandey and Sepoy Chhultim succumbed to injuries.
The attack took place at around 2:30 am when the forces were laying siege to the area over inputs about the presence of militants there.
“As the security forces were laying cordon in Zaipora area in the night, the militants fired towards the troopers injuring three personnel. All the injured were airlifted to Srinagar Army hospital where two succumbed to injuries while the third soldier Kripal Singh is being provided treatment. The militants managed to flee from the area after the shootout,” said a top police official.
The forces later cordoned off the area and launched searches to nab the attackers, but could not trace the militants.
Meanwhile, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen has claimed responsibility of the attack.
“The valiant militants of our outfit laid ambush and attacked an army party from all sides. Five Indian soldiers were killed and many others were injured. The militants managed to reach their destinations safely after the daring attack,” local news agency CNS quoted Hizb spokesman Barhanuddin as saying.
The spokesman said the Hizb commander Mehmood Ghaznavi has decided to reward the militants for carrying out the attack. “Such attacks will continue across Kashmir Valley,” he added.
Meanwhile, a spontaneous shutdown was observed in parts of Anantnag to mourn the militant deaths in Kulgam.
Shops remained shut in Janglat Mandi, Mattan chowk, Reshi Bazar, Lal Chowk, Ganjiwara, and General Bus stand areas of Anantnag main town after mild stone pelting in the morning as the word about militant killings spread.
