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CRPF man killed, cop injured in Karan Nagar attack

MAJID NABI. Dated: 2/13/2018 4:07:04 PM

SRINAGAR, Feb 12: A paramilitary CRPF trooper was killed and local policemen injured after ‘fierce encounter’ broke out between militants and government forces at Karan Nagar area of the city on Monday.
Initial reports suggested that a sentry guarding 23 Battalion Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) installation averted attack by opening fire on a youth who was found roaming in suspicious circumstances during wee hours.
Sources said the militant after being fired upon by the sentry took shelter in a nearby under construction building near Jammu and Kashmir Bank at Karan Nagar following which Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police, army and CRPF later cordoned off the area to nab the hiding militant.
A fierce encounter broke out after the militant who had taken refuge in the local building resorted to firing on the government forces which was continue till reports last came in.
A CRPF trooper who was identified as Mujahid Khan of 23 Battalin was killed during initial gunfire while a local policeman also sustained bullet injuries who was later removed to the hospital for treatment.
Inspector General (IG) CRPF Kashmir range while confirming the death of CRPF personal during encounter said a militant is holed up in a local building which has been cordoned off.
“One of our jawan has been martyred in the encounter while as a policemen has sustained injuries. The militant is still holed up in the building and we are trying our best to eliminate him,” IG CRPF told reporters.
Militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) confirmed that its cadre took control in Karan Nagar and challenged government forces face them.
Government forces used rocket launchers and UBGL grenades to destroy the building backed with heavy firing that creates panic in the entire area.
Earlier a group of youth from surrounding areas tried to disrupt the operation by hurling stones on government forces who in return lobbed tear smoke shells to disperse them.
Dozens of youth assembled near the encounter site and started pelting stones on government forces. The deployed police however used several tear smoke shells to disperse them.
Later police placed iron barricades and concertina wires at Karan Nagar to restrict public movement while traffic movement except for ambulances was suspended as well.
Sources said that the hiding militant continuously fired upon the security forces with light and heavy weapon he has carried along with which was retaliated with rockets and UBGL grenades.
They said many concrete structures have suffered damage following rocket attack on the building wherein the militant has taken refuge since 4.30 am.
A senior police official wishing anonymity said that given the harsh climatic conditions, security forces might suspend operations for night. However, he was quick to add that efforts are on to eliminate the hiding militant who has locked forces in fierce encounter since more than fifteen hours.