Doda, July 17: A civilian was killed and three police personnel were injured in a firing incident during a police operation in the Jai Valley area of Bhaderwah in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Friday, with police ruling out any terror angle.
A senior police officer told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the incident occurred after a police team detected suspicious movement in the high-altitude Jai Valley area during the intervening night of Thursday and Friday.
“On noticing suspicious movement in the area, the police team challenged the individuals. This led to a scuffle, during which an attempt was made to snatch a service weapon. During the struggle, a single round was discharged, injuring one of the assailants,” the officer said.
The injured man was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital and later referred to Government Medical College (GMC) Doda, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The deceased has been identified as Arif Hussain, son of Late Mohammad Iqbal and a resident of Chekha village in Bhaderwah. He was an auto driver by profession. The incident took place nearly 25 kilometres from his native village.
The officer said one policeman sustained serious head injuries during the scuffle, while two other police personnel also suffered injuries.
“There is no terror angle in the incident. Preliminary investigation suggests that the deceased was allegedly involved in bovine smuggling,” the officer said.
As a precautionary measure, additional security forces have been deployed in the area, and internet services have been suspended in Bhaderwah.
Police have launched a probe into the incident.—(KNO)
