Srinagar: A gunfight raged between militants and forces in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Thursday late evening, officials said.
The gunfight broke at Badigam village in Shopian district when joint teams of police, Army, and CRPF launched an anti-militancy operation after they received input about the presence of militants in the area.
“Encounter has started at Badigam area of Shopian. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow,” tweeted Kashmir Zone Police.
Indian Army said the joint operation was launched late evening on Thursday.
“Cordon was laid and contact established. Firefight ensued. Joint operation in progress,” tweeted Army’s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps.
The gunfight has taken place hours after the European Union delegation concluded their trip to Kashmir.
Militants on Wednesday fired upon Akash Mehra, 22, son of Ramesh Kumar Mehra in Dalgate area of Srinagar, merely a few kilometres away from Hotel Lalit where 24 foreign envoys were staying overnight for a two-day visit to Kashmir. Mehra’s own famous eatery Krishna Dhaba in Srinagar.
He received a bullet in his chest and suffered grievous injuries in his lungs. However, doctors stated his condition as stable.
Hundreds of tourists visit Krishna Dhaba every day.
“Very sorry to hear about the attack on the Krishna Dhaba in Srinagar, these attacks are unacceptable. I hope the injured person who is himself associated with the dhaba & is undergoing treatment in a city hospital makes a complete & speedy recovery,” former chief minister Omar Abdullah tweeted.
“Deeply saddened by the attack on Krishna Dhaba at Sonawar in Srinagar. Extend my sympathies to the injured & his family. Violence is never the answer,” former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.
