SRINAGAR: A suspected bovine smuggler was killed after an alleged attempt to snatch a policeman’s service weapon led to the accidental discharge of a firearm during a police operation in the Jai Valley area of Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir late on Thursday night. A police officer also sustained serious head injuries during the incident.
Police sources said that a police team detected suspicious movement in the Jai Valley area and challenged a group of persons moving under suspicious circumstances.
During the operation, a scuffle broke out in which one of the suspects allegedly attempted to snatch a policeman’s service weapon. During the struggle, a single round was discharged, injuring the suspect, the sources said.
The injured man was immediately shifted to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. He has been identified as Arif, a resident of Bhaderwah, police sources said.
A police official also sustained serious head injuries during the scuffle and is undergoing treatment, the sources added.
According to police sources, the site of the incident is around 25 kilometres from the deceased’s residence.
The sources further clarified that no terror angle has emerged in the incident, adding that the preliminary investigation suggests the deceased was allegedly involved in bovine smuggling.
Further investigation is underway. (JKNS)
