Srinagar, May 28: Three soldiers were today injured in an IED blast triggered by militants in Shopian area of south Kashmir, police said. Another IED was detected near the scene of the incident soon after.
“Militants in the wee hours today blasted an IED when an Army vehicle was passing from the area on Turkwangan road near Zainpora in Shopian district,” a police spokesman said.
He said militants had planted the IED near the water tank which was set off early morning when an Army vehicle was passing through the area.
The vehicle suffered damages due to the blast and the three soldiers inside the vehicle were injured. The injured were rushed to hospital.
“It is learnt that militants after triggering the blast escaped from the spot. Bomb disposal squad deployed at the site of the blast recovered a second IED from the site,” he said.
The spokesman said sanitization of the area is underway to clear the track for vehicular movement.
Meanwhile, the residents of Sugan village of Shopian alleged that the government forces vandalized dozens of houses following the IED blast.
One of the houses ransacked by the forces, they said, belongs to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Zeenat-ul-Islam.
The locals also alleged that the forces destroyed apple orchards in Sugan area.
Earlier, An Army soldier and a civilian were killed last night when militants attacked an Army camp in Pulwama district of south Kashmir, police said.
This is the first militant attack after the Centre announced cessation of operations during the holy month of Ramazan.
Police said the militants attacked the camp of 50 Rashtriya Rifles at Kakapora in Pulwama district leaving a soldier seriously injured.
“A civilian identified as Bilal Ahmed was also caught in the crossfire leaving him seriously injured,” police said, adding both were rushed to a hospital where the duo succumbed to their injuries.
Meanwhile, authorities today clamped prohibitory orders in parts of Pulwama district while Internet and train services were also suspended.
The cellular companies snapped the Internet late Sunday night after a directive from the police. “The service was immediately suspended as a precautionary measure following the death of a civilian,” said an official.
Train service between Banihal and Srinagar was also suspended. However, trains continued to play between Srinagar and Baramulla.
“In view of law and order problem in south Kashmir, especially in Pulwama district today, as a precautionary measure the Banihal to Srinagar rail service and vice versa will remain suspended today (Monday). However rail service from Srinagar to Baramulla and vice versa will ply as per schedule,” said a railway official.
