Srinagar, November 13: A team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday visited the site of the attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) checkpoint near Mir Bazar in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, as preliminary investigations pointed towards the involvement of at least three terrorists, including two suspected foreign nationals.
According to a report published by Greater Kashmir, the NIA team inspected the crime scene and collected forensic evidence to establish the sequence of events and identify those involved in Wednesday’s attack, which left three CRPF personnel injured.
Preliminary findings suggest that the attackers approached the checkpoint on foot through a marshy area located around 50 metres away. They allegedly opened fire using AK-47 rifles before escaping through nearby trees and bushes.
A senior police officer was quoted as saying that investigators were examining CCTV footage from the area to establish the movements of the attackers. The strike took place barely two kilometres from the heavily guarded Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
The CRPF had earlier said that the attack occurred around 2:15 pm when assailants opened fire on personnel of its 46th Battalion deployed as bridge guards before fleeing the spot.
The injured personnel were identified as Head Constable Somveer Singh, Constable Rakesh Dass and Constable Santosh Chandru. They were initially taken to Government Medical College, Anantnag, and subsequently shifted to the Army’s 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar.
One of the personnel sustained bullet injuries to the abdomen and spine and underwent surgery, while the other two suffered injuries to their arms and legs. Two injured personnel have since been discharged, while the critically injured jawan continues to receive specialised treatment.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had visited the hospital to enquire about the condition of the injured personnel. GOC 15 Corps Lieutenant General Balbir Singh also visited the attack site to review the security situation and ongoing operations.
Senior officers of the Army, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police are supervising the expanded search operation, supported by human and technical intelligence. A Motorola mobile phone and a SIM card were also recovered from the scene.
The report further said investigators were examining the possible involvement of a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) module operating in south Kashmir. At least three suspected overground workers linked to the outfit are reportedly being questioned over possible logistical assistance, including reconnaissance and providing shelter to the attackers.
Investigators are also examining the suspected role of local terrorist Lateef Ahmad Bhat of Kulgam, who had earlier been linked to two attacks in July, the report said.
Cartridges recovered from the attack site reportedly matched those found in the earlier Killam incident.
Security agencies are also assessing the possibility that foreign terrorists operating in small groups are relying on local support networks to carry out targeted attacks.
The period ahead of winter is considered particularly sensitive, as terrorists hiding in the higher reaches of the Pir Panjal range are believed to move towards lower elevations before heavy snowfall restricts movement.
A senior security officer, as quoted in the report, described the attack as part of an apparent attempt by Pakistan-based groups to reactivate their networks in Kashmir despite sustained counter-terrorism operations.