LeT claims attack on CRPF vehicle in Srinagar that killed 1, operation on to secure area

A sub-inspector was killed and a CRPF soldier injured in an attack claimed by militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba in Srinagar on Saturday.

Militants ambushed a party of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) near the Delhi Public School close to the Pantha chowk bypass at around 5:50pm.

The SI and several other CRPF personnel, part of road opening deployment, were sitting inside the vehicle when they came under fire. A jawan and the driver suffered bullet injuries, while the SI – identified as Sahib Shukla – was killed. The driver was identified as constable Nissar Ahmed, officials said.

CRPF spokesperson Rajesh Yadav confirmed the casualties, while inspector general of the paramilitary force, Ravideep Sahi, told ANI, “Firing was on our vehicle... We have cordoned the area.”

After the firing, the militants escaped towards the school, where they are believed to be holed up.

In a statement to KNS news agency, LeT spokesman Dr Abdullah Ghaznavi claimed it had killed three people.

“Mujahideen of Lashkar e-Taiba attacked the CRPF party at Pantha Chowk on Srinagar-Jammu highway. Three CRPF men were killed in the attack and several others were injured,” he said.

Reinforcements were rushed to the spot and a search operation was launched to secure the area.

In the melee, two other security personnel were injured after a policeman accidentally fired his rifle.

The incident comes a day after a senior police officer was stripped and beaten to death in the heart of the city.

(With PTI inputs)