J-K News: A shooting incident took place in the Jai area of Bhaderwah in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district on Friday morning following an alleged attempt to snatch a service weapon.
According to officials, a youth allegedly attempted to snatch a service rifle from personnel of the Special Operations Group (SOG). The ensuing firing left the youth dead and four SOG personnel injured.
The deceased has been identified as Arif Hussain, a resident of Bhalla in Bhaderwah who passed away from his injuries.
Police officials stated that a religious preacher has been detained regarding the late Thursday night incident, though his specific connection remains unclear, PTI reported.
A senior officer noted that the SOG team had been deployed along the Jaie-Gandoh road, roughly 35 km from Bhaderwah town, following reports of suspicious activity in the high-altitude zone. Around 11:30 pm, the team stopped a young man who then reportedly assaulted the personnel and tried to take a service rifle.
“During the scuffle, an SOG jawan opened fire. The youth sustained bullet injuries, while three police personnel were injured in the incident,” the officer told PTI.
All four individuals were initially transported to the sub-district hospital in Bhaderwah before being transferred to the Government Medical College in Doda for specialised care.
Officials added that a religious preacher has been detained. In response, authorities have deployed extra Central Reserve Police Force and police personnel in Bhaderwah town as a precaution, while the army has initiated a search operation in the Jaie region.
Security forces are investigating the incident, and police have not yet classified it as a terror-related incident. Following the shooting, mobile internet services in the Bhaderwah area were reportedly suspended.