Ex-serviceman killed in terror attack in J&K’s Kulgam, wife, niece injured
The terrorists fired at Manzoor Ahmad Wagay, his wife and their daughter in the Behibagh area of Kulgam district before fleeing; search operation underway.
An ex-serviceman, Manzoor Ahmad Wagay, was killed, while his wife and niece were injured in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Monday, officials said.
The terrorists shot at Wagay, 39, his wife Aaina Akthar 32, and their niece in the Behibagh area of Kulgam district, they said, adding that all three were rushed to hospital in Srinagar. The former soldier succumbed to injuries on the way to the hospital.
Security forces, comprising police, CRPF and army personnel, launched a search operation for the terrorists who fled after the attack.
While Wagay, who retired from army in 2021, had received bullet injuries in stomach, his wife and daughter had leg injuries. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. Wagay was from Territorial Batallion based in south Kashmir.
Army’s Chinar Corps termed the attack as cold blooded incident and act of terror. “In a cold blooded incident at Behibagh, Wuzur, Kulgam three innocent citizens Manzoor Ahmed Waghey (Ex Serviceman, 39), wife Aaina Akhtar, 32, and niece, 13, were shot at by terrorists. Manzoor succumbed to his injuries, while the others have been evacuated to district hospital Anantnag. The cowardly act of terror on unarmed citizens was perpetrated by the inimical elements who do not want peace and prosperity which defines Kashmir of today to flourish. In this dastardly act of terror even the innocent woman and child were not spared. A joint cordon & search operation has been launched at Behibagh,” Army’s Chinar Corps wrote on X.
Terming the attack as heinous crime, J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah said, “Deeply saddened by the tragic killing of ex-serviceman Manzoor Ahmad Wagay Sahab in Kulgam. My heartfelt condolences to his family, and prayers for the swift recovery of his injured wife and niece. Such heinous violence has no place in our society and must be condemned in the strongest terms. May peace and justice prevail,” Omar Abdullah wrote on X.
The lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha also condemned the terrorist attack and said attackers will be punished soon.
“I strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack on Manzoor Ahmad Wagay and his family in Kulgam. The entire nation stands in solidarity with the bereaved family in this hour of grief. I have instructed the officials to provide the best possible treatment to the injured. Praying for their speedy recovery. I assure the people that the perpetrators of this cowardly attack will be punished soon,” Sinha said in a statement.
