36 injured as police, militants clash in J&K jail

Fifteen policemen and 21 detenues were injured in a clash between Pakistani prisoners and police in the high-security Kotbalwal jail on Sunday.

Following the clash, three Pakistani and one Afghan militant were shifted to Sangroor jail in Punjab, Director General of Prisons M K Mohanty said.

Divisional Commissioner (Jammu) Pramodh Jain said a police team lead by Additional Deputy Commissioner went inside the jail to verify intelligence reports that Pakistani militants have gathered SIM cards, stones, bottles, gas cyclinders, iron rods and pipes.

As they entered the prison, over 300 detenues attacked them with above mentioned items to prevent them from entering the barracks, Jain, flanked by Mohanty and Inspector General of Police S P Vaid, said.

Security personnel fired some teargas shells after the cane charge failed to bring the situation under control, Jain said.

In stone pelting, cane charge and teargas shelling, 36 people including 21 detenues and 15 policemen suffered minor injuries, he said. Two detenues, Gulam Hassan Kumar of Kupwara and Pakistani militant Umar Din were hospitalised.

The situation was brought under after three hours, he said, adding, "There was no firing on the inmates."

During search in the jail, two mobile SIM cards, iron rods, stones, bottles, gas cyclinders and some incriminating documents were recovered, Vaid said, adding the detenues had also broken the barracks and water pipes.

The situation was now peaceful and under-control, he said, adding a case has been registered in this case.