Srinagar (NVI): A sarpanch (village headman) was critically injured after he was shot at by suspected terrrorists at Akhran village of Qazigund in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district late this evening, security officials said.
They said that gunmen fired at Arif Ahmed Shah, son of Mushtaq Ahmed near his home at Akhran village in Qazigund, Kulgam.
“He sustained bullet wounds in his neck and abdomen and was first referred to Qazigund hospital where he was referred to Government Medical College Anantnag where his condition is stated as critical,” hospital sources said.
They said that Arif was affiliated with the BJP. The attack came at a time when security forces are maintaining the highest level of alert in the wake of the first anniversary of Article 370 rollback and bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two UTs— J&K and Ladakh.
Security forces deployed across the length and breadth of Kashmir are maintaining the highest level of alertness amid inputs that militants may strike to show their presence on August 5 eve.
-ARK
