Search operation launched in Narbal after militants escape
Srinagar, Dec 07: Security forces launched a search operation after a militant allegedly opened fire on CRPF personnel posted at the Narbal crossing on the Srinagar-Gulmarg road here on Monday, officials said.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers at the crossing claimed that they signalled a driver of a car to stop, but he drove past and stopped after a short distance, they said.
“There were militants in the car and one of them got off, fired and they escaped,” according to the troopers, the officials said, adding that the matter is being probed.
The area has been cordoned off and a search operation launched to track the militants, they said.
Initially, police had said that a paramilitary personnel’s rifle went off accidentally, but later officials said that it is being investigated as to where the shots were fired from.
The firing caused panic in the area and people ran helter-skelter.
While running to safety, one Showkat Ahmad fell down and suffered injuries, police said.
Local news agency KNS quoted SSP Srinagar, Dr Haseeb Mughal as saying that there is no report of any attack on forces in Narbal area – “it was the service rifle of one of the security force personnel which accidentally went off.”
He said the civilian was injured due to stampede of locals.
