Army says civilian was shot by militants

The Army on Friday denied that a civilian was shot at by soldiers in Badgam district.

Colonel Rajesh Kalia, Defence Ministry spokesman, said, "In a case of terrorist-committed atrocity, Ishfaq Ahmad Ganai of Magraypora was shot at by terrorists, about 500 metres from the Army camp at Chhatargam."

"When the Army troops heard the shots, the Quick Reaction Team immediately rushed towards the direction of fire to find out what was happening. When a team reached there, they saw Ishfaq in a pool of blood," said Col Kalia.

"Ganai bore bullet injuries, one in head and the other in leg, and was immediately taken to Chhatargam hospital from where doctors shifted him to SMHS hospital in Srinagar," said Col Kalia.

"Reports of an individual lobbing the grenade at the Army camp and the Army retaliation are completely baseless," he said.

Ishfaq Ahmad Ganai, 28, a carpenter by profession, was shot and critically injured when he was moving in Chattergam area of Badgam district on his motor cycle.

Doctors at the hospital said his condition is critical.

--IANS

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