2 hurt as ultras target police in Budgam

Tribune News Service

Srinagar/Anantnag July 1

On a day when Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Kashmir to review the security situation, militants made their presence felt by attacking a police party, lobbying a grenade and also attempting to infiltrate into the Valley. 

Militants ambushed a police party in central Kashmir’s Budgam district that left one police officer and a civilian injured.

The attack was carried out at Pakerpora, some 45 km from Srinagar, on Friday afternoon. Sources said the Assistant Sub Inspector who was on traffic duty and a civilian were hit by the bullets.

Soon after the incident, the security forces launched a massive search in the area to nab the militants involved in the attack. 

Militants also made an attempt to infiltrate into Kashmir in north Kashmir’s Kupwara on Friday. Sources said a bid was foiled near Eagle Post in the Tangdhar sector, 145 km from Srinagar, when the Army noticed movement along the Line of Control this morning.

“As the group was challenged, it opened fire which was retaliated, triggering a gunfight,” a source said, adding that the exchange of firing continued for at least two hours. 

“Even as the gunfight has stopped, massive searches are on in the area,” the source said. There was also a possibility that the militants might have returned back. 

The Army has deployed additional troops to carry out searches in the area.

This year there has been higher infiltration. Over 50 militants have managed to enter the Valley, said the sources.  A hand grenade was lobbed at the Sherbagh police post in Anantnag town today. The grenade exploded within the premises of the police post. There, however, was no casualty or injuries to anybody. 

The police have remained tightlipped about the explosion.