Qayoom Khan
Srinagar: A paramilitary CRPF trooper was injured critically in a gunfight in Tral area of in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district even as a lone militant apparently managed to flee as no body was recovered after a nearly day-long firefight.
Reports reaching GNS said that a joint team of army’s 42 RR, CRPF and SOG launched a cordon on Saturday morning at Arpal area of Tral.
A police officer also confirmed the incident and said that the exchange of firing took place soon after the searches were intensified in the area. In the initial gunfight, a CRPF trooper Manesh Kumar Meena of 180 suffered bullet wound in his neck. The injured has been shifted to army’s 92 base hospital Srinagar for treatment, he said.
Meanwhile, no body was recovered during the ongoing search operation by the joint team of government forces. The cordon amid searches was later extended in adjoining areas and lighting facility was also installed to trace out the militant believed to be escaped from the spot.
According to reports, the announcement was made at the masjid loudspeaker in Seer Hamdan, the native village of the militant Umer Fayaz alias Hamad Khan that he has managed to escape and is alive. Hamad, according to sources is active since last more than three years.
When reports last came in, the cordon and search operation was going on in the area.
Following the gunfight, the youth took to streets and pelted stones on forces who in return lobbed tear smoke shells and pellets to disperse them. At least six youths are said to have received injuries in forces action. (GNS)
