Terrorist, J&K policeman killed in Baramulla clash

First encounter reported after Article 370 abrogation, civilian killed in cross- border firing

SRINAGAR In the first ever encounter since the abrogation of Article 370, a policemen was killed while fighting a group of terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Asub-inspector who was leading the operation was also injured in the encounter and has been shifted to Army Hospital in Srinagar for treatment.

Meanwhile, one civilian was killed while four other Army soldiers were injured in heavy Pakistan shelling and firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar and Krishna Ghati sectors of Poonch district.

“On a credible input, a cordon and search operation was launched jointly by police and security forces in Ganie-Hamam area of Baramulla district,” police spokesperson Manoj Pandita said.

“During the search operation, the terrorists fired on the search party who retaliated, leading to an encounter. In the exchange of fire, two policemen sustained injuries, identified a SPO Bilal Ahmad and SI Amardeep Parihar. Ahmad died due to his injuries while Parihar continues to receive treatment at the Army hospital,” he added.

“One terrorist was also killed and the body was retrieved from the site of encounter. The identity and affiliation of the terrorist is being ascertained,” Pandita said. Arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter.

The civilian who died in cross-border firing has been identified as Mohammad Abdul Karim. “Karim was killed when a mortar shell exploded inside his house at village Dabraj in Mendhar,” police said.

Karim was rushed to Mendhar hospital but was declared dead. The local administration has kept entire staff of the hospital on alert to meet with any eventuality in the wake of continued shelling and firing.

Sources told Mirror that two ambulances were also trapped in Pakistan shelling but were taken safely to the hospital after the firing stopped.

Pakistan army initiated heavy mortar shelling and firing along the LoC in Mendhar and Krishna Ghati sectors of Poonch district targeting forward posts of the Army and civilian locations with long range mortar shells and heavy arms firing.

“The Indian Army retaliated effectively, leading to heavy exchanges which continued till morning,” said PRO defence in Jammu.

Even schools close to the LoC remained closed as people didn’t send their children over the fear of cross border firing.


Police crackdown

With the increase in stone pelting incidents in last few days, Jammu and Kashmir police have launched a massive crackdown around 200 people have been arrested in last three days.

Around 1500 people, including political leaders, have been arrested since August 4, a day before withdrawal of special status for Jammu and Kashmir. Out of these, around 145 have been booked under the Public Safety Act.

The subsidiary jails have been formed at district level to house these detainees. Restrictions were removed from parts of Srinagar but in old city areas, the security forces barricaded the roads and were allowing movement of only those who have curfew passes or are government employees.

“We have arrested many people, including political leaders, separatists and even trouble makers. Even many stone pelters are arrested,” top Police official told Mirror.

He said the arrests are still taking place and most of the arrested are being shifted to outside jails.

While the government is tightlipped over the total number of arrests, according to the sources a large number have been arrested from various places in Valley.

ANIL RAINA