5 CRPF jawans killed in Kashmir attack; Jaish-e-Muhammad claims responsibility

SRINAGAR: Five security personnel and three militants were killed after Jaish-e-Muhammad militants stormed a CRPF installation in Lethpora area of south Kashmir.

The gunfight started at around 2:00 am when at least three JeM militants barged inside the CRPF camp housing Group Training Centre of the 185th battalion, ammunition depot and other stores of the paramilitary force.

Srinagar-based CRPF spokesperson Rajesh Yadav told ET: “Our five soldiers have been martyred. Also, three of our men are injured. We have recovered bodies of two JeM militants. We believe another terrorist has also been killed.”


Yadav added that the gunfight was still going on. J&K police, 50 RR of Army and CRPF personnel are engaged in the operation. Authorities have suspended Internet services in the area.

The CRPF personnel who lost their lives during the attack were identified as inspector Kuldip Roy, constables Tufail Ahmad, Rajendra Nain and Pradeep Panda. The killed militants were identified as Manzoor Ahmad Baba of Pulwama and Fardeen Ahmad Khanday, son of a policeman and resident of Tral.

This is one of the first fidayeen attack by the local militants in many years, which could be a dangerous trendsetter for 2018.

J&K police chief SP Vaid said: “We had an input for last three days. They managed to strike last night.”

Jaish-e-Muhammad in a statement to local news gathering agencies claimed responsibility for the attack, saying “Talha Rasheed, Mohammad Bhai and Noor Muhammad and all other martyrs are not heirless. Such attacks will continue till the last Indian soldier leaves J&K”.