CRPF jawan killed in sneak attack by militants in J&K

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was killed and two others were injured in a sneak attack carried out by separatist militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore town, 48-km northwest of capital Srinagar, on Wednesday.

A civilian identified as Bashir Ahmed Khan, 65, also died in the incident. After the shootout, Khan’s 3-year-old grandson Ayaad was seen sitting on his bullet-riddled corpse lying on the road and then walking towards security personnel. The images of the sorrowful boy went viral, casting a gloom over the Valley.

While the CRPF and J&K police said that Khan was hit by bullets fired by militants hiding in the attic of a nearby mosque, the slain man’s family said, “The shootout sent pedestrians and those driving through the area running for cover. My father couldn’t duck because my nephew was sitting in the front passenger seat. The CRPF guys dragged him out of his car and then shot him dead in cold blood,” alleged Khan’s son.

Three-year-old Ayaad, sits on the body of his 65-year-old grandfather Bashir Ahmed Khan, who was killed in a shootout near Srinagar on Wednesday. He then walks over to a soldier and was later handed him over to his family.