On day one, 4 terror strikes, 3 civilians injured, gun snatched

SRINAGAR: On the day, Centre announced a conditional ceasefire in the state, the Valley witnessed multiple terror strikes, four to be precise in Valley alone, none of them initiated by the security forces, but by terrorists, resulting into injuries to three civilians, and a gun snatched.

In an early morning strike, terrorists attacked an army patrol in Tral region in Pulwama, however, failing to make any damage.

“A patrol party of the 42 Rashtriya Rifles was attacked by the terrorists in the Shikargah area around 8:30 am. The army patrol also retaliated. No casualty was reported by the army. The area has been cordoned off for searches," a police officer said.

Immediately the attack, the additional reinforcement was rushed to the area and the whole area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers.

Soon after, terrorists lobbed a grenade on 115 CRPF vehicle near Bemina crossing Chatabal area of Srinagar, injuring three persons, all civilians.

Reports said that three civilians sustained injuries after gunmen lobbed a grenade on the CRPF vehicle, however, missing the mark.

The injured civilians, identified as Manzoor Ahmed Bhat, 35, son of Sonauallah Bhat, Junaid Ahmed, 6, and a lady whose name was not known immediately, were shifted to Srinagar hospital for the treatment.

In the third strike of the day, terrorists overpowered a cop posted inside Kashmir University campus at Dargah Hazratbal in outskirts of Srinagar.

Official sources said that the assailants overpowered the security guard posted at the main gate of the varsity and snatched service rifle from his possession.

Confirming the incident an official said that police has launched an investigation to ascertain the case.
At least a couple of hours after the announcement of the ceasefire was made, the terrorists didn’t refrained from attacking, this time in restive Shopian.

The terrorists opened firing on an Army patrol at Jamnagri in Shopian district, the police said, adding, “The Army personnel retaliated the fire which triggered the gunbattle.”

Meanwhile, clashes between the security forces and youth were reported in the area. Confirming the incident, a police officer said that that searches in the area are underway, adding that the terrorists might have escaped from the spot.

However, they said that confirmation in this regard would be made only after search operation ends.