Three CRPF personnel were injured after unidentified motorcycle-borne attackers opened fire at a security checkpoint near Mir Bazar in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district. Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to track down the assailants.
A fresh terror attack in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district triggered a major security response on Wednesday, November 11, after unidentified gunmen opened fire on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel deployed at a checkpoint.
The incident took place at approximately 2:15 pm in the Akhran area near Mir Bazar. According to officials, the attackers arrived on a motorcycle, fired at the security personnel and escaped before they could be apprehended.
The firing left three CRPF personnel injured, according to initial reports. The attack prompted the deployment of additional security forces and the launch of a cordon and search operation across the surrounding area.
What Happened in Kulgam?
The attack occurred when CRPF personnel were deployed at a security checkpoint, locally known as a naka, near Mir Bazar.
Two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants reportedly approached the security position and opened fire before fleeing the scene.
The attackers managed to escape, prompting security agencies to immediately secure the area and begin efforts to identify their route of escape.
The CRPF confirmed that its personnel had been targeted in the firing incident. Officials said the injured were shifted to a hospital in neighbouring Anantnag district for medical treatment.
How Many CRPF Personnel Were Injured?
Initial reports indicated that three CRPF personnel sustained injuries in the attack.
According to reports citing officials, one personnel suffered serious abdominal injuries, while the other two sustained comparatively minor bullet injuries.
However, the CRPF’s initial statement, as reported by some news outlets, referred to two injured personnel. This created a difference in the early casualty figures.
Later reports continued to identify three injured personnel. Their medical condition and treatment remained a priority as the security response continued.
Search Operation Launched to Track Attackers
Following the shooting, security forces launched a cordon and search operation in and around the Akhran-Mir Bazar area.
Personnel from the Army, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police were involved in the security response, according to local reports.
Additional checkpoints and barricades were established, while security personnel conducted searches to locate the attackers.
Residents in the area were reportedly advised through loudspeaker announcements to remain indoors while the operation was underway.
The immediate objective is to identify the assailants, establish their escape route and prevent them from moving into nearby areas.
Security Tightened Across the District
The attack prompted heightened security measures in Kulgam and adjoining areas.
Security personnel increased patrols and checks at important road junctions and other sensitive locations. Senior officers from the security forces also reached the area to supervise the response.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the security challenges faced by forces operating in south Kashmir, where militants have previously carried out attacks against security personnel and civilians.
No militant organisation had officially claimed responsibility for the latest attack in the initial reports.
Investigation Underway
Investigators are working to establish the identity of the attackers and determine whether they were involved in previous incidents in the region.
Security agencies are expected to examine available evidence and gather information about the movement of the motorcycle-borne assailants.
Some media reports have referred to possible links with Lashkar-e-Taiba and its offshoot, The Resistance Front. However, these claims have not been independently confirmed by an official investigation, and the identities of the attackers remain unverified.
Authorities have not yet announced any arrests connected to the attack.
Kulgam’s Recent Security Background
Kulgam has witnessed several security-related incidents in recent months.
On July 31, two migrant labourers were killed in an attack in the Kelam area of the district. The incident triggered condemnation and renewed security operations.
The latest firing incident adds to concerns about the continued presence of armed militants and the threat posed by sudden attacks on security deployments.
Security agencies have continued operations in vulnerable areas to identify militant networks and prevent further violence.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus remains on tracking down the attackers and ensuring the safety of the injured CRPF personnel.
The ongoing search operation is expected to continue until security agencies establish the movements and whereabouts of those responsible.
The incident also highlights the importance of intelligence coordination and security arrangements at checkpoints across sensitive areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
For now, the investigation remains active, and further details are awaited from the authorities.
Source: PTI, ThePrint, NDTV, India Today and official CRPF statements as reported by news outlets.