Two terrorists open fire at CRPF checkpoint in Kulgam, three personnel injured; one critical

Srinagar: Three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel sustained injuries after two terrorists opened fire at them at a checkpoint on Wednesday afternoon in Kulgam district of southern Kashmir.

The incident occurred at around 2:15 pm when the assailants opened fire at the CRPF personnel stationed at the security checkpoint in Akhran village. The attack took place at a time when J&K Manoj Sinha lieutenant governor was attending a function just a few kilometres away from the spot in the same district. The attackers fled from the spot after the firing.

The injured personnel were immediately shifted to a hospital in Anantnag district. Two injured CRPF personnel were shifted to 92 base Army hospital in Srinagar, while one of them is under treatment at the Government Medical College hospital in Anantnag.


"One of the CRPF personnel is critically injured as he has injuries in the stomach and on the spine. Some cartridges of the AK rifle were recovered from the spot," said a senior police official.

An unconfirmed CCTV footage of the firing incident shared on social media showed two men running amid heavy firing.

The incident has raised fresh security concerns even as the cordon and search operation near the spot continued till late evening.

On July 22 this year, a Jammu and Kashmir police head constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi was killed in a militant attack in Anantnag district of southern Kashmir. On July 31, two non-local brick kiln workers were killed in a targeted attack in Kelam village of Kulgam.

Political parties across the spectrum condemned the attack stating that it is not merely a security lapse but also questions the "normalcy narrative" of the government.

"Such acts of violence are unacceptable and deserve unequivocal condemnation. Wishing the injured personnel a speedy and complete recovery. There can be no place for violence in a society that yearns for lasting peace, stability and dignity," said Mehbooba Mufti, president of the People's Democratic Party.

J&K Congress chief Tariq Hamid Karra said he stands in solidarity with the soldiers who have been injured and with their families. "This raises many questions. The attack took place just 2-3 km away from the LG's event - this demonstrates that they can strike at will; they attack wherever they choose," said Karra, adding, "The Government of India repeatedly claims that the situation here has improved. Yet, whenever it suits them, they shift their narrative to suggest that the situation is, in fact, poor."