4 Civilians killed, several injured in terror attack in J&K’s Rajouri

Mangalore Today News Network / News18

Rajouri, Jan 02, 2023: At least four civilians were killed and several others were injured in a terrorist attack in a village in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening. A search operation was launched to track down and neutralise the terrorists, officials said.

 

While three people were declared brought dead when they were taken to the hospital, one person succumbed to injuries later, taking the toll to four.

Additional Director General of Police, Jammu zone, Mukesh Singh said two “armed men” opened fire on civilians at upper Dangri village, about eight kilometres from Rajouri town.

“Firing took place at three houses, separated at a distance of around 50 metres from each other,” he said. In an update later, ADGP Mukesh Singh said that a search operation is on, adding that police, CRPF, Army troops have cordoned off the area. “We’ll try to neutralize the two terrorists soon, he said.

According to police sources, attack on the civilians of the minority community was carried out using AK series rifles. It is very likely that terrorist came from the dense forests behind these houses to carry out this act, they added.

Of the seven people injured in the incident, one person succumbed to injuries later, taking the death toll in the incident to four. “Dr Javed Chaudhary, Emergency Medical Services, Government Medical College & Associated Hospital Rajouri, had said there were gunshot injuries on the body of the injured people.

Former J&K chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad condemned the attack and expressed speedy recovery to the injured.

“I strongly condemn brutal terror attack at Dhangri, Rajouri in which 3 civilians have been killed. This is an act of cowardice. My deepest condolences to the families and relatives of the victims, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," he tweeted.

The Jammu and Kashmir Congress strongly condemned the terrorist attack in a village in Rajouri district. The party said the incident is “very serious” and belies the government’s claim about the improved security situation in the Union Territory.

“The Congress strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Rajouri. The incident is very serious and shocking and belies claims of the government and the security heads regarding the (improved) ground situation,” the party said in a statement.

Former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the incident and expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased.

“Deeply shocked as more details emerge of this targeted attack in Rajouri district of Jammu. I unequivocally condemn this heinous attack & send my condolences to the families of the deceased. I hope those injured in this attack will make a swift & complete recovery. #RajouriAttack," he said in a tweet.