Tribune News Service

Srinagar/ Anantnag, May 11

A solider of the Army’s counter-insurgency unit died after suffering a fall from a ridge during an anti-militancy operation in north Kashmir’s Kupwara forest. Defence spokesman in Srinagar Col NN Joshi said the solider, Om Veer Singh, fell from a ridge at Rajwar forests in Handwara this morning resulting in grievous injuries.“He was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared brought dead on arrival,” the spokesman said. Om Veer Singh of the 21 Rashtirya Rifles Battalion and hailing from Rajasthan was part of a joint operation that was launched on Tuesday evening after an input that a group of militants were hiding at Watsar village in Rajwar forests, 90 km from here. As the cordon around the forest area was being laid, the militants believed to be three or four in number opened fire, triggering a brief gunfight.  The massive search operation in the thick forest area continued on Wednesday.Driver hurt in grenade attackThe driver of a senior vigilance officer was injured in a grenade attack in south Kashmir’s Anantnag town on Wednesday. Anantnag SSP Abdul Jabbar confirmed the incident to The Tribune. According to reports, suspected militants lobbed a hand grenade about 12:30 pm at the old SP Office building adjacent to the district court complex. “The grenade exploded on the premises of the building, which now serves as an extension to the district court,” said a senior police official.