Srinagar: Minor boy among five civilians was killed and 15 more were injured in two separate attacks by armed men (suspected to be militants) in Dangri village in Pir Panjal Valley of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district on Sunday and Monday.
Reportedly, four civilians were killed after armed men barged into three separate houses on January 1, Sunday. The next morning, an explosion took place around 9:45 a.m. outside the house of Rajendra Kumar, whose son Deepak Kumar was among the four people killed in the firing attack.
“A blast occurred near the house of a victim of yesterday’s firing incident in Rajouri’s Upper Dangri village. One child has succumbed to injuries. Five persons have been injured, one is critical. Another suspected IED [improvised explosive device] was spotted, which is being cleared,” officials said.
“Initial reports suggest that the explosion took place around 9:45 a.m. outside the house of Rajendra Kumar, whose son Deepak Kumar was among the four people killed in the attack. An investigation has been started to establish the nature of the blast. Initial investigations suspect he t use explosives to trigger the blast,” they said.
Moreover, Mukesh Singh, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jammu zone said "another person succumbs to injuries. The death toll stands at four. Two armed men are allegedly involved in this firing.”
Singh further informed that as soon they received the information of firing, police and army personnel immediately rushed to the spot.
All of them were immediately rushed to the hospital. D.r Mehmood, Medical Superintendent, Associated Hospital, Rajouri said,
"All the injured are being treated. Police and District administration have reached the spot, and an operation has been launched,” he added.
Meanwhile, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 Lakh and a government job to the next of kin of the deceased.
“I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack in Rajouri. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families,” The Office of L-G of J&K tweeted.
Mr. Sinha said that those injured would be given ₹1 lakh.
In March 2022, the Government of India revived Village Defence Guards (VDG), earlier called VDC (Village Defence Committee) for the Pir Panjal and Chenab valley where civilians were given weapons to help the government against fighting militancy, move criticized by major political parties.