MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): One Ranger was martyred and another seriously injured after armed attackers belonging to the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) opened fire during a road clearance operation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), regional police said on Wednesday.
As per the statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Region Poonch, the incident occurred during an operation to clear and reopen the Sarsawa-Tararkhal road.
Snipers of a banned group opened fire on law enforcement officials during the clearance operation, security sources said.
The police confirmed that Ranger Sepoy Shah Nawaz was martyred after being shot in the chest. Another personnel, Lance Naik Bilal, sustained serious injuries after being shot in the shoulder.
The Ranger official Shah Nawaz belongs to Khairpur district in Sindh.
A police spokesperson added that a clearance operation was being carried out to reopen blocked roads on the strong demands from local residents in view of the severe difficulties in movement and food shortage.
During the operation, the obstacles put up by the miscreants at various places are being removed, and the means of transportation are being restored.
“Despite the malicious actions of the banned Action Committee and firing on law enforcement officials, the clearance operation is going on in full swing,” police affirmed.
The operation was underway to reopen blocked roads amid reported movement difficulties and shortages of essential supplies in the area.
The statement asserted that the operation will continue until all obstacles are removed and the connectivity is fully restored.
