Srinagar, Nov 12: The security forces continued the massive manhunt for the second consecutive day on Thursday to track down terrorists involved in the attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) checkpoint in south Kashmir's Kulgam district yesterday in which three paramilitary personnel were injured.
A security official said security forces have launched multiple cordon and search operations at different locations across the district to trace the attackers, who opened fire on a CRPF naka party near Akhran Bridge at Mir Bazar on Wednesday before fleeing the scene.
Sources said several suspects have been questioned as security agencies intensify efforts to identify and track down those involved in the attack.
The security officials believe that Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist Mohammed Lateef Bhat was one of the attackers behind the Wednesday attack along with a one or two foreign terrorists.
Bhat- the only surviving local militant active in Kashmir- is accused of being involved in previous attacks in south Kashmir, including the July attacks targeting migrant labourers.
A resident of Khrewan Chader village of Kulgam, Bhat is said to have joined militant ranks only last year.
A team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) visited the attack site on Thursday to collect forensic evidence.
The Army's Srinagar based Chinar Corps Commander also visited the area to assess the security situation and review the ongoing operations.
The injured personnel were identified as Head Constable Sonbir Singh, Constable Rakesh Das and Constable Santanu Chandra. Singh, who suffered bullet injuries to his abdomen and spine, remains critical and is undertreatment at the Army's 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar
Soon after the Wednesday attack, security was intensified in other parts of the valley too.
Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday evening reviewed the security situation with senior officials in Srinagar. He said that security forces had been given a "free hand to crack down on terrorists".
The Wednesday attack has broken a prolonged lull in major attacks on security forces in Kashmir. On October 24, 2024, two soldiers, and two civilian porters were killed, while three others were injured in a militant attack in Baramulla's Butapathri area near Gulmarg.
Meanwhile, Special Director General, CRPF J&K Zone Sandeep Khirwar, called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday and discussed the prevailing security scenario in the union Territory.