Colonel killed, captain injured in Kashmir
By IANSWednesday, June 23, 2010
SRINAGAR/JAMMU - A senior officer of the Indian Army was killed and another injured in separate gunfights with separatists in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
Colonel Neeraj Sood, commanding officer of 18 Rashtriya Rifles, died after suffering critical injuries late Tuesday in a guerrilla ambush in Kupwara district’s Saiwan village, 105 km from here.
“Colonel Neeraj was critically wounded. He was rushed to a hospital in Kupwara. He succumbed to his injuries Tuesday night,” a police officer said.
In Poonch district, 230 km north of Jammu, a captain of the army was injured in a firefight with militants in Bhanot area.
Captain Nikhil Bismit of 12 Grenadiers came under attack in Bhanot area near the Line of Control (LoC), army officials said.
He received bullet injuries and was shifted to a military hospital in Poonch.
The ambush triggered a fierce gunfight that rages on between security forces and the militants. Four to five gunmen are believed to be trapped in the area.
