Srinagar, Oct 29: Three suspected militants were arrested after a brief shootout on the outskirts of Srinagar on Monday, police said.
The government forces established a checkpoint at Narbal area on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway, following information about the movement of militants through the area, a police officer said.
The personnel signalled a car to stop, but the driver tried to speed away. “The militants were arrested after a brief exchange of firing, in which one of them was injured. He has been taken to a hospital,” the official said.
A cache of explosives and ammunition, hidden in apple boxes, were recovered from the spot, the official added.
The arrested militants were identified as Aqib Ahmad Dhobi, son of Gh Mohd Dhobi of Tral; Zahid Rather, son of Ab Rashid Rather of Poshwana, Awantipora and; Tariq Ahmad Sheikh, son of Ahad Shiekh of Dangerpora of Pulwama.
Tariq was injured in the shootout and is being treated at a local hospital, sources said.
Meanwhile, five BSF personnel were injured Monday in a militant attack on their vehicle in Pantha Chowk area on the outskirts of Srinagar city, police said.
Gunmen opened fire on the paramilitary force vehicle at the Pantha Chowk, resulting in injuries to five personnel, a police official said.
He said the injured personnel, belonging to the 163 battalion, have been hospitalised and one of them is stated to be in serious condition.
Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a hunt to track down the assailants, he added.
Lashkar-e-Toiba has owned the responsibility of the attack.
In a statement issued to local media, LET claimed that three BSF personnel were killed and two others injured in the attack.
Meanwhile, unknown persons on Monday evening hurled a grenade at the residence of former legislator at a village in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.
Reports said that grenade was hurled at the residence of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Abdul Razaq Wagay at Zawoora village around 7:25 pm.
The grenade, however, exploded outside the house, causing no injuries or loss of life, they said.
