CRPF officer, two militants killed in Srinagar
Srinagar, Aug 15 (PTI) A CRPF officer and two militants were killed while nine others were injured when ultras attacked security forces at Nowhatta in downtown Srinagar today. An unspecified number of militants fired at the security forces in the area which is close to the historic Jama Masjid, triggering an encounter. Ten security personnel were injured in the militant attack, a police official said, adding, a CRPF commanding officer injured in the attack later succumbed to injuries. Two militants were killed in the exchange of fire between the two sides. The attack came as the country is celebrating the 70th Independence The militants entered in a building which was immediately cordoned off, a police spokesman said. "The identity of the militants is being ascertained. Two AK rifles, eight magazines with ammunition have been recovered from the encounter site," he said. The CRPF said the Commanding Officer of CRPF 49 Battalion Promod Kumar was leading from the front and was hit on his upper neck during the gunfire exchange with militants. He was later taken to the 92 Base Hospital of the army in Srinagar where he succumbed to his injuries. Kumar was posted to Srinagar in April 2014 and was recently promoted as a commandant. He hailed from Patna in Bihar. The officer's family is at present living in Kamtara in Jharkhand. He is survived by his wife and a 7-year-old daughter. Kumar had been thrice decorated with the CRPF Director General's commendation in 2015, 2014 and 2011. He has earlier served in the Special Protection Group for 3 years. His funeral will take place tomorrow in his village Mihijam in Kamtara.
