2 CRPF jawans killed in militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar: Suspected militants on Monday shot dead two members of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Sangam area of southern Anantnag district of restive Jammu and Kashmir.

According to reports, the attack when a CRPF patrolling party was on the move along a highway Halmulla, about 40-km south from Srinagar. At least, two of the CRPF jawans were killed on the spot and a few others injured, officials said.

The gunmen fled the scene after targeting the CRPF personnel.

No militant outfit active in Kashmir has, so far, admitted responsibility for carrying out the attack.

The slain jawans have been identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Omkar Singh and Constable Tilak Raj.

A massive search operation for the assailants has been launched in adjoining villages by reinforcements from the CRPF.

The bloody attack came hours after Inspector General of CRPF, Atul Karwal, along with his counterpart from the Border Security Force (BSF) Dr. Jagat Singh, had a meeting with Jammu and Kashmir Governor, N.N. Vohra, at Raj Bhavan to brief him on the security situation prevailing in Kashmir Valley.

They also briefed the Governor about the arrangements being made by their respective forces to support the smooth conduct of the ensuing Amarnath Yatra and to maintain a secure environment, a Raj Bhavan spokesperson said.

Mr. Abdul Jabbar, SP Anantnag, and Mr. Imtiaz Ismail Parray, SP Ganderbal also called on Mr. Vohra who is the Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB)  “to brief him on issues relating to the conduct of the ensuing pilgrimage.” The Governor, the spokesman said, advised the officers to ensure effective maintenance of law and order during the yatra alongside facilitation of the pilgrims.