Three CRPF Personnel injured as motorcycle-borne assailants open fire in J-K's Kulgam

Three personnel of the 46th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were injured after suspected terrorists opened fire at a security checkpoint in Nowpora Akhran, near Mir Bazar in south Kashmir's Kulgam district, on Wednesday afternoon.

The attack took place at around 2.15 pm when unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants fired at CRPF personnel deployed at a regular naka (checkpoint) before fleeing the spot. The attackers reportedly escaped using the road network near the national highway bypass.

The injured personnel have been identified as Head Constable (GD) Somveer, Constable (GD) Santano and Constable (GD) Rakesh Das.

All three were rushed to Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, for treatment. According to medical updates, one personnel sustained a bullet injury to his leg, another was shot in the arm, while the third suffered an injury to his back. Their condition is being closely monitored by doctors. Arrangements are also being considered for specialised treatment or an airlift to the 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar, if required.

Following the attack, joint teams of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army's Rashtriya Rifles and additional CRPF personnel reached the spot and cordoned off the Nowpora Akhran–Mir Bazar stretch. A cordon-and-search operation has been launched to track down the attackers and establish their escape route.

The firing prompted heightened security across south Kashmir. The incident comes as Kulgam prepares for the Veshaw Festival, which Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was scheduled to attend as the chief guest. Security has been strengthened along key routes and transit corridors in Kulgam and neighbouring Anantnag.

Officials are yet to confirm the identity of the outfit behind the attack or the weapons used in the firing. Search operations are continuing.

Last month, four CRPF personnel were injured in an IED blast at Alarmedgu camp in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district while they were defusing residual explosives.

Further details are awaited.