Handwara gunfight: Two cops, two CRPF men, civilian among five killed | KNO

Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

Srinagar, March 01 (KNO) : Four forces personnel and a civilian have been killed in an ongoing gunfight between forces and militants that raged in Babagund Langate area of Handwara of Kupwara district on Friday. Official sources confirmed to KNO that while eight forces personnel have sustained injuries in the gunfight, two CRPF personnel, two cops and a civilian were killed. Confirming the death of a civilian, Medical Superintendent District Hospital Handwara, Dr. Rouf Ahmed told KNO that, Waseem Ahmad Mir, son of Muhammad Akbar Mir of Sagipora Langate was declared dead on arrival to the hospital. The gunfight in the area broke out after forces launched an operation in the area following specific tip-off about the presence of militants there. “The overnight gunfight had a brief lull and it was presumed the militants hiding have died but he rose from the rubble and opened fire indiscriminately with his rifle," sources said. They said that the fatal injuries to forces personnel occurred when they approached the gunfight site to retrieve the bodies of the presumably dead militants. According to sources, two of the deceased have been identified as Pintoo of 92 bn CRPF and the policeman of SOG Handwara namely Naseer Ahmad. Meanwhile, clashes also broke out in the area while the firefight between militants and forces in continuing in the area. Protesters took to roads and clashed with forces while forces tried to disperse them. Talking to KNO, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Handwara Asish Mishra said that the operation is still on in the area. Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner Handwara has also orders the closure of all the tuition centers functioning within police district Handwara and have imposed section 144 in the whole area. The operation is being conducted by the joint team of army’s 22 RR, 92 Battalion CRPF and SOG.(KNO)