2,580 CRPF men injured in J-K post Burhan Wani killing

CRPF were deployed in Jammu and Kashmir follwoing a surge in violence in recent times.

New Delhi, Feb 27: A total of 2,580 Central Reserve Police Force personnel have been injured in over 200 violent incidents in Jammu and Kashmir after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani last July.

Data from the CRPF said that its troopers were injured in 142 stone pelting incidents, 47 grenade blasts, three firing incidents and 43 instances of acid attacks or petrol or kerosene bomb attacks in the state.

Of the injured troopers, 122 inflicted grievous injuries, the data said.

The unrest in Jammu and Kashmir began July 9, a day after the death of Wani in a gunfight with security forces. Over 90 civilians were killed and around 12,000 injured in the violence.

"An additional 158 companies (over 16,000 personnel) of the CRPF were deployed in Jammu and Kashmir considering the surge in violence both in terms of militant activities and law and order situation," outgoing CRPF Director General K. Durga Prasad told IANS.

He also said the attacks on the force's personnel by Jammu and Kashmir's civilians came as they were threatened by the militants.

"Locals in the state are obstructing our counter-militancy operations as they are under duress by the militants. However, the situation has improved compared to last year," Prasad said.

Prasad, who will retire from the service on February 28, also said that the home ministry as well as the central welfare fund of CRPF will provide financial assistance to the troopers injured in the stone pelting attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

The CRPF chief said that the Home Ministry would provide Rs 2,500 to those who suffered minor injuries and Rs 7,500 for the personnel injured grievously.

"We will provide financial assistance to our men from CRPF's welfare fund but it is divided in different categories. Those suffered minor injuries will be given Rs 4,000, and grievously injured will get Rs 25,000 after hospitalisation. Those grievously injured after being hit by bullet or blasts during operation will get Rs 50,000.

"For grievous injuries in action during operational duties leading to hospitalisation, we provide Rs 1 lakh," Prasad added.

IANS