5 CRPF men killed in fidayee attack on patrol party in Anantnag

Anantnag : Five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) men were killed after militants carried out a fidayeen attack on them at KP Road in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
A militant was also killed in the incident while as a police officer and a girl, who was a passerby, sustained critical injuries, who are being treated at Srinagar hospital.
Five other forces personnel also sustained injuries and are being treated for their injuries. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by Al-Umar Mujahideen outfit. Police sources said that the attack took place at 5 pm, when two militants opened indiscriminate firing on the CRPF men who were on a patrol at KP Road, Anantnag.
“Heavy exchange of firing took place as police also responded in an effective manner. In the initial attack, three CRPF men died while as two others, who were hit by bullets were taken to nearby medical facility. They also succumbed to their injuries later,” A senior CRPF officer said.
He said that five other CRPF men also sustained injuries are stable. A police officer said that Station House Officer of Saddar Police station Anantnag Arshid Ahmed was also hit in his chest.
“It wasn’t clear whether he was hit by a bullet or a splinter. He sustained grave chest injury and was referred to Srinagar hospital for specialized treatment, where his condition was stated as critical,” the officer said. He said at girl, who passing through the road, at the time of incident also sustained bullet injury and she was referred to army’s 92 base hospital Srinagar.
In the shoot-out, a militant, who was part of a fidayeen squad was also killed while as another one is believed to have escaped from the spot. “It is subject matter of investigation to find out whether one militant carried the attack or they were two,” sources in police said. They said soon after the incident entire area was sealed off and a massive cordon and search launched.
Pertinently, Al-Umar militant outfit was prominent during mid-90’s and had later vanished. This is after a long gap that the outfit claimed responsibility for a major attack in Anantnag district of South Kashmir. “We will investigate which outfit has done it. Things will be clear soon,” police sources said.