SRINAGAR: A head constable of paramilitary SSB was killed and Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) injured in firing incident at Banihal on Srinagar-Jammu national highway Wednesday evening. Police is investigating whether the death was result of militant firing or is fratricide incident.
SSP Ramban Mohan Lal told New Indian Express that a jawan of SSB was killed and another injured in firing incident SSB at Chitar, some 10 kms away from Banihal in Ramban district this evening.
He said the SSB men are deployed for security in the area as working on 4-laning of Srinagar-Jammu national highway is underway.
The police official said a jawan has been killed in the incident and another injured, who has been hospitalised.
The deceased was identified as Head Constable Ram Parvesh and the injured as ASI Sham Singh.
Asked whether it was a militant attack, SSP said, “Right now, I cannot say it was the militant attack”.
“We are investigating as the jawan, who has been injured, has not bullet injury. He has been hit by a blunt object,” he said.
“It has aroused our suspicion and we are investigating the incident,” he said.
“Right now I can’t say whether it was a militant attack. Investigations are going on,” he added.
Sources said police was probing whether the incident was a result of militant attack or a case of fratricide killing.
“Top police officials have rushed to the spot to know the exact details about the incident. Since the injured jawan has not got bullet injury, we are doubtful whether it was a militant attack,” sources said.
If it is a militant attack, then it is the second militant on key Srinagar-Jammu national highway on Jammu stretch in last two years.
Earlier, on August 5, 2015, two Pakistani militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba had attack a BSF convoy near Udhampur on Srinagar-Jammu national highway. Two BSF men were killed and about 10 injured in the attack in which a LeT militant was also killed and another arrested.