KASHMIR: Meet the ambulance driver who was shot at by CRPF

Meet the ambulance driver who was shot at by CRPF

The Indian Central Reserve Police Force came into existence as Crown Representative’s Police on 27th July 1939. It became the Central Reserve Police Force on enactment of the CRPF Act on 28th December 1949. 

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                          Meet the ambulance driver who was shot at by CRPF  GK Photo

Hundreds of pellets in his arm and shoulder, Sofi still drove patients to SMHS hospital

MUDDASIR ALI
Srinagar, Publish Date: Aug 20 2016 12:26AM | Updated Date: Aug 20 2016 12:26AM


An ambulance driver, who was bringing patients from Ganderbal to a Srinagar hospital late on Thursday evening, had a miraculous escape when Central Reserve Police Force men fired pellets at him in Safakadal area here, causing serious injuries to him.

Ghulam Muhammad Sofi, despite being severely injured in the right arm and shoulder and bleeding profusely, drove the ambulance with one hand for nearly one kilometer to the SMHS Hospital where he was admitted for treatment and later shifted to Bone & Joint Hospital in the night for a surgery.
A senior doctor at the B&J hospital, who treated 32-year old Sofi, said more than 200 pellets had pierced his right arm and shoulder.

“The severity of the injury shows that the pellets have been fired from a very close range and he (Sofi) had lost lot of blood,” said the doctor, adding: “Sofi has been lucky that the pellets have not caused damage to his bones.”

“The pellets had ruptured his tissues. We have operated upon him but he will need at least two more surgeries given the severity of the injury.”

Sofi, who is a driver with Primary Health Center at Wussan in Ganderbal, said he had to drop a sick patient at Children’s hospital at Sonwar here and another patient at B&J Hospital.

Recalling the incident, Sofi, who is in severe pain, said the joint party of CRPF and police which was patrolling near CRPF camp in Safa Kadal didn’t stop them and the ambulance proceeded towards Lal Chowk.

But the moment, he said, the ambulance reached near Safa Kadal Bridge, a CRPF man, “without signaling anything fired directly at me with his gun”.

Manzoor Ahmad who was accompanying 14-year-old cousin Aqib Hussain to B&J hospital for his treatment, in the ambulance, said: “We thought this is our end. I looked at the driver and he was bleeding profusely from right side of his body. But he (driver) without losing concentration, drove the ambulance to the SMHS hospital.”

Before the CRPF personnel fired at the ambulance driver Sofi, he had during the day already shuttled thrice between Wusan and Srinagar to ferry the patients.

“Oh my brother, I am dying with pain, please do something,” Sofi was repeatedly telling his elder brother Nazir Ahmad at the hospital.

A number of ambulance drivers from Srinagar and Ganderbal who visited Sofi at the hospital, were aghast over use of force against ambulance drivers during the past 42 days of uprising in Kashmir.
As per the official report prepared by Directorate of Health (Kashmir), at least 25 drivers working with the Department have been allegedly thrashed by forces during the past 42 days.

The Directorate has suffered damage to 150 ambulances in attacks, during this period.
Meanwhile the CRPF has placed under suspension the accused Sub-Inspector Bhim Singh Yadav of F-78th battalion who had fired upon the ambulance driver.

“A Departmental inquiry has been initiated against the officer,” CRPF spokesman Rajeshvar Yada told Greater Kashmir.

Kashmir: Ambulance driver shot at in Safa Kadal

Kashmir: Ambulance driver shot at in Safa Kadal
He said the driver is being operated upon at the SMHS hospital.

Abid Bashir
Srinagar, Publish Date: Aug 18 2016 9:08PM | Updated Date: Aug 18 2016 9:08PM

An ambulance driver was shot at in Safa Kadal locality of Srinagar on Thursday night.

The driver, who was on way to the SMHS hospital from Kangan, managed to drive the ambulance despite the bone fracture, said a doctor.

He said the driver is being operated upon at the SMHS hospital.

More details are awaited.

நாள் 42 காஸ்மீரில் இந்தியப் பயங்கரம்

Pellet terror continues

DAY 42: Pellet terror continues, over 120 injured in fresh clashes

4 youth sustain critical injuries | Police enforce stringent curfew to foil march to Aripanthan | Geelani, Mirwaiz detained | Huge freedom rallies held in several areas | No prayers allowed in Jamia Masjid Srinagar for 6th Friday | Shutdown in Bhaderwah too

ABID BASHIR/ KHALID GUL
Srinagar/Anantnag, Publish Date: Aug 20 2016 12:07AM | Updated Date: Aug 20 2016 1:44AM
DAY 42: Pellet terror continues, over 120 injured in fresh clashes
Photo: Aman Farooq/GK

Four youth sustained serious pellet and bullet injuries and are battling for life in Srinagar hospitals, while at least 120 youth were injured in clashes that broke out after Friday congregational prayers across Kashmir, witnesses and reports said.

Majority of injuries were caused by pellets, they said. The authorities had placed stringent curbs in Srinagar and all other district headquarters to foil the march to Aripanthan Budgam that was called by Kashmir’s joint resistance leadership. Reports said two youth from South Kashmir’s Anantnag and Pulwama districts were referred to a Srinagar hospital after they sustained serious pellet injuries while a youth from Handwara district of North Kashmir is also battling for life at SMHS hospital.


SOUTH KASHMIR

At least 50 people were injured across South Kashmir of which over 25 sustained injuries at Kakapora in Pulwama district during clashes after Friday prayers. Reports said violent clashes erupted in Kaimoh and adjoining Khudwani, Redwani and Rampora villages. Youth pelted stones on forces who in turn lobbed teargas shells and also fired pellets to quell the protests, witnesses said. At least six people sustained injuries in the forces’ action. Reports said one youth sustained injuries in his eyes at Rampora while in Pricho, Newa and Tahab, 10 youth were seriously injured and two of them were referred to a Srinagar hospital. Six people sustained injuries in Tral area as well.
Clashes also erupted near Ziyarat road in Kulgam town, but there were no reports of any injury. An effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also reportedly set ablaze by protesters there.

A youth sustained critical pellet injuries in forces’ action in Kakpora area of Pulwama. “Youth clashed with police and paramilitary forces who resorted to intense tear-gas shelling and fired pellets to disperse them,” witnesses said.

They said one of the youths, later identified as Isaq Ahmad Itoo of Patlabagh Pampore, sustained pellet injuries in his head and after being given first-aid in a local Primary Health Center was referred to a Srinagar hospital. Several other youth sustained injuries in the clashes.

Clashes also erupted in Dangerpora and Exchange Road areas in Pulwama town. In Shopian district, protests and clashes erupted in Bonbazar, Golchakri and some other villages including Vihil, Trinz, Aliyalpora, Meemandar, Gagran and Nagbal. Protests and clashes also erupted in Tral town and its adjoining villages after Friday prayers. Several people have reportedly sustained injuries there, but in the wake of complete communication blockade in the area, the exact number of injuries could not be ascertained. “Even BSNL mobile and landline service has been snapped in the area,” reports said.

Two Imams were reportedly thrashed by army in Sanigam village in Yaripora area of Kulgam district. Massive pro-freedom demonstrations were taken out in Yaripora, Frisal and Kujar areas in Kulgam after Friday prayers.

In Bijbehara town, a pro-freedom rally was taken out after Friday prayers near Jamia Masjid in Baba Mohalla locality.

Reports of similar rallies being taken out were received from Dachnipora villages of Bijbehara, Wubzan, Mahand, Kanelwan, Srigufwara and Nanil. Protest demonstrations also rocked
Achabal, Mattan and Seer areas in Anantnag district and Gusoo, Tahab, Ruhumu in Pulwama district, and also Mohamadpora, Bugam, Bachroo in Kulgam district.

Strict curfew remained in place in Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian towns while restrictions remained in force in Bijbehara, Mattan, Awantipora, Pampore, Tral and Kakpora towns. Forces had laid spools of concertina wire at various entry and exit points to enforce strict curfew in the towns as well peripheral areas. In late evening clashes, three youth were injured of which one was hit by a bullet on left side of his face while pellets hit him in elbow and other parts of the body, witnesses said. He was identified as Bilal Ahmed of Batpora and has been referred to Srinagar where doctors termed his condition as critical. Medicos at the district hospital said Bilal had multiple pellet injuries in his forearm. Late evening reports said a youth Adil Ahmed of Samboora, Pulwama was hit by a bullet during evening clashes. He was shifted to SMHS hospital Srinagar.

NORTH KASHMIR

At least 20 persons including six women were injured in clashes that erupted between forces and protestors in Bandipora district soon after Friday prayers. As soon as the prayers culminated, a large procession was taken out from Gulshan Chowk to Nowpora Chowk in which women from Plan, Nibripora and Nowpora also participated. Witnesses said as the protest rally reached near Nowpora Chowk, police fired dozens of tear-smoke shells upon the rally that was peacefully going on. The police action triggered massive clashes in which around 20 persons, including six women, sustained injuries. The clashes were going on when this report was filed.

Meanwhile, angry protestors burnt the effigy of Sajad Gani Lone, Minister for Social Welfare, in Gulshan Chowk area of the town.

Meanwhile, government forces resorted to teargas shelling to break up a protest rally in Pazalpora area of the district, triggering clashes. Witnesses said the inhabitants of Pazalpora, Mantrigam and Darmahama areas carried out a protest rally and marched towards Sonerwani where an office of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is located. The protestors, according to witnesses, tried to attack the BRO office but were intercepted by Army's 14 RR unit camped at Sonerwani. This led to clashes. Army fired dozens of tear smoke, sound shells and pepper gas to disperse the protestors.

Reports said two youth were injured during the clashes which were going on when last reports came in.

Reports of clashes were also received from Hajin area of the district where youth had assembled near Jamia Masjid after offering Friday congregational prayers and clashed with forces.

Peaceful protests were also held in Aragam, Ashtengoo, Aloosa, Ajar, Ayathmulla, Ajas and other adjoining areas.

In Sopore, Friday congregational prayers were held in two masjids only—Jamia Masjid Sopore and New Colony Masjid. When the protestors marched towards main chowk from Sopore Jamia Masjid, forces resorted to pellet firing at Chanakhan, injuring dozens of youth.

Meanwhile, pro-freedom protests were held at Botingoo. Reports said massive protest rallies were held in Bomai, Muslim Peer, Krankshivan, Main chowk, Tujjar Sharief, Zainageer and other areas of Sopore.

Meanwhile, in Handwara area of Kupwara, clashes broke out after Friday prayers in which one youth sustained grave pellet injuries. He was referred to Srinagar in a critical condition.

In Baramulla district, curfew was defied at many parts. In Palhallan, soon after Friday prayers, intense clashes broke out between police and protesting youths, leading to injury to six persons. Four injured youths are reported to have received pellet injuries and were shifted to Srinagar hospitals.

According to reports, in Palhallan, a massive pro-freedom march was also taken out this afternoon. The protesting youths after passing through various parts of the area tried to march towards the Srinagar-Baramulla highway. The police and CRPF personnel prevented their bid which led to clashes. Police lobbed scores of teargas shells to disperse the youths and as the clashes intensified, police fired pellets, which caused injury to six youth. Four of the injured youths were later shifted to a Srinagar hospital. In Pattan area of Baramulla district, clashes broke out this afternoon after a group of youths after Friday prayers tried to march towards the highway. Police fired scores of teargas shells to disperse the protesters.

Pro-freedom protest was also held in Hygam area in which hundreds of youths including women participated.In old town Baramulla, joint Friday prayers were offered at Qadeem Eidgah. Soon after Friday prayers, a massive pro-freedom protest was taken out. The protesting youths included
scores of women who marched through various areas and later dispersed peacefully at Azad Gunj Chowk.Similar protests were also reported from Sangri Colony and Noor Baghdad areas of uptown Baramulla. Reports from Kupwara said major rallies were organized at Trehgam, Lalpora, and Kupwara town against the killing of innocent civilians. Clashes broke out in Lalpora, Batergam, Sapernaghama, Ganapora, Langate, where more than 25 youth sustained pellet injuries. Four youth were injured at Lalpora also.

SRINAGAR:

Pro-freedom protests were held at Dargah, Hazratbal after congregational Friday prayers, witnesses said. They said protests were staged at the end of the prayers in which pro-freedom slogans were raised. There was no untoward incident. A pro-freedom rally was organised on Friday in Chanapora area of Srinagar. It was led by JKLF vice-chairman Bashir Ahmed Bhat. The rally passed off peacefully. A major protest rally was held at Chottabazar in old Srinagar that culminated peacefully. Hundreds of people assembled at a park in Doodh Ganga Colony, Old Chanapora soon after the culmination of Friday prayers. A sit-in was held after Friday prayers in Nawa Kadal area of old city against the civilian killings in Kashmir by government forces.

Earlier, a protest rally was taken out from Masjid Sharief Khankah-i-Sokhta to Lukhriyar Nawa Kadal. The rally culminated at the Ansari Chowk where a sit-in was staged, which was led by Hurriyat (M) leader Masroor Ansari.

The protestors chanted pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.

Paramilitary forces beat up several newspaper hawkers. A hawker said a group of paramilitary troopers beat him up yesterday (Thursday) in Old City's Safa Kadal area while he was delivering newspapers.

Late evening clashes were reported from Rajouri Kadal, Nowhata, Khanyar, 90-feet Soura, Hawal and other areas. Clashes were also witnessed in Bemina, Chattabal, Safa Kadal, Chotabazar, Habba Kadal and other areas. Reports said clashes also broke out in Nowgam area of uptown after youth staged a torch procession.

Congregational prayers were not allowed at historic Jamia Masjid in old Srinagar for the sixth consecutive Friday. Auqaf Jamia Masjid has strongly condemned the continuous curbs, terming it as direct interference in religious affairs of people.

GEELANI/MIRWAIZ DETAINED

Police detained Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani and Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq when they tried to defy curbs and restrictions to lead a march towards Aripanthan, Beerwah. Geelani was lodged in police station Humhama while Mirwaiz in police station Nigeen. Pertinently, JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik continues to be in Central Jail Srinagar.

Meanwhile, Hurriyat leader Aga Syed Hassan Al Mousvi was also detained after he tried to march towards Aripanthan, Beerwah.

CENTRAL KASHMIR

At least 50,000 people assembled at Eidgah Aripanthan in Beerwah area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district to offer congregational Fateh Khwani of four people killed in firing there
recently. Reports said the participants raised pro-freedom and pro-Islam slogans. When the youth were returning back to their respective areas, clashes broke out near Beerwah in which six people sustained pellet injuries. One of the injured was referred to Srinagar. Clashes broke out at Badran while at Ardina, at least 25 youth sustained pellet injuries during clashes of which six were referred to Srinagar hospital.

In Ganderbal district, protest rallies were held after Friday congregational prayers at Gund, Kangan, Manigam, Watlar, Safapora, Saloora, Beehama and Nagbal. Clashes erupted at Duderhama and Thune.

In Kangan, a peaceful protest rally was held.

Meanwhile, in district hospital Ganderbal, medicos and paramedical staff staged a protest against firearm injury caused to an Ambulance driver in CRPF firing in Srinagar.

POLICE VERSION:

According to a statement issued by Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, 21 incidents of stone pelting were reported after Friday prayers from Sopore, Shopian, Kulgam, Baramulla, Handwara, Bandipora and Pulwama. The statement said restrictions under section 144/CrPC remained in force in Kashmir on Friday. “Curfew was imposed in Srinagar, Baramulla, Kaloosa in Bandipora and in the towns of Anantnag, Shopian and Pampore,” it said.

The statement further said last evening, unknown militants hurled a grenade towards the residential house of ex-MLA Shopian, Sheikh Muhammad Rafi at village Kachdoora, Shopian which exploded without causing any damage. “A case stands registered in Police Station Shopian and investigation taken up,” it said.

SHUTDOWN IN BADERWAH

A complete shutdown was observed by members of Muslim community in Bhadarwah on Friday.
The shutdown call was given by Anjuman-e-Islamia Bhaderwah against the central and state government "for its criminal silence over sufferings of Kashmiri people for the past 41 days."

"People of Kashmir are going through worst form of brutalities, but surprisingly a criminal silence is being maintained by both Central and State government, which is further aggravating the problem and unrest is fast spreading to Chenab Valley and other parts of Jammu province,” said Anjuman-e-Islamia President Pervaiz Ahmed Sheikh.

(With additional reporting from Altaf Baba, Ejaz-ul Haq Bhat, Ghulam Muhammad, Sheikh Nazir, Showkat Dar,  Tahir Nadeem Khan)