Briefs: 3 gangsters arrested after brief gunfight in Kathua

Jammu: Three gangsters were arrested after a brief gunfight with the police in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on Wednesday, officials said.

The accused were travelling on a motorcycle when they were intercepted by a police team for checking in the Lakhanpur area, officials added. The gangsters, who were coming from the Punjab border side, opened fire and tried to flee the spot.

The police fired warning shots and gave chase. The suspects lost control of their motorcycle and crashed into a roadside electricity pole near the Kidian Ghadiyal bridge, sustaining injuries, the officials said.

They were subsequently arrested and shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital, Kathua. One of the arrested men, identified as Murad Ali, is wanted in four cases registered in Kathua district, the police said.

Army, admn avert major tragedy in Tulail area

Tulail: The Army and civil administration averted a potential tragedy from occurring with their quick and coordinated actions on Tuesday evening. Reportedly, a fire erupted in the Tulail area of the larger Gurez Valley, located in Bandipora district. The fire quickly spread and gutted one house while causing significant damage to two others. As the fire station was alerted, the fire was contained by the swift actions of the department, which quickly reached the spot to take control of the situation. Prompt cordon drills by local Army personnel prevented the spread as the fire brigade doused the blaze.

All the residents, including women, were safely rescued and evacuated to a safer location. No casualties were reported; however, there was significant damage to the property. After the rescue operation, relief and medical assistance were provided to the affected families.

1 dead, 5 hurt as boulder rolls on to vehicle

Jammu: A 32-year-old woman was killed and five others were injured when a boulder rolled down a hillock and struck a passenger vehicle in Doda district on Wednesday, officials said. The incident occurred near Baswal village on the Doda–Bharat road, the officials added.

Rescue teams immediately swung into action and shifted all six injured passengers — residents of Bharat Bagla village — to GMC Hospital, Doda. A passenger identified as Razia Begum was declared dead on arrival, while the injured — Sonia Devi (32), Zulaikha Begum (30), Kamran (2), Ghulam Hassan (31) and Imran Hussain (4) — were admitted to hospital, the officials said.

Man held with 21gm heroin

Jammu: A notorious drug peddler was arrested allegedly with 21 grams of heroin and Rs 30,800 in cash near Katra in Reasi district on Wednesday, police said. The accused, identified as Pawan Singh alias Pammi, a resident of the Serbad village, was arrested allegedly along with the contraband and cash near Tarakote area, a police spokesman said.