SOG personnel injured in accidental firing in J&K’s Anantnag

Srinagar, July 31 (IANS) A personnel of the J&K Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) was injured in an accidental firing incident during patrolling in Anantnag district on Friday, officials said.

Officials said that the SOG personnel sustained injuries after his service weapon accidentally went off during patrolling in the Magam area of Kokernag in Anantnag.

The injured has been identified as Mohd Altaf Khan, son of Habibullah Khan.

“The bullet struck his foot. He was immediately shifted to the sub-district hospital in Kokernag for initial treatment.

Later, he was referred to the Government Medical College Hospital in Anantnag town for further medical management.

The Special Operations Group (SOG) is a tactical unit of the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) that is specialised in anti-militancy, counterinsurgency, and counterterrorism operations.

It was raised in 1994 with the idea of involving the till then apparently less operationally active Jammu and Kashmir Police in anti-terrorist activities and giving a local face to these operations.

The unit’s missions primarily involve anti-militancy operations and those against armed and dangerous criminals, counterterrorism. hostage rescue and crisis management, counterinsurgency, covert operations, executive protection, high-risk tactical law enforcement situations, operating in difficult-to-access terrain, protecting high-level meeting areas, and providing security in areas at risk of attack or terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Its duties include special reconnaissance in difficult-to-access and dangerous areas, support for crowd and riot control, and special operations.

Chosen from more than 100,000 personnel of J&K Police, this unit is approximately 4,000 strong and trained and equipped to handle high-stakes situations.

The J&K Police has been very competent and on the frontline in anti-terror activities. The SOG members are also the first targets of the militant groups and local separatists alike. Since its inception, the unit has played an important role in suppressing terrorism in J&K.

–IANS

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