Soon all the doctors on duty—physicians, surgeons, pediatricians, ophthalmologist—along with paramedics made a dash for the emergency ward. Although the victim was brought dead, the worst was still far from over.
Srinagar: After past few days of sullen weather, the morning sun on Saturday began shining bright against the brilliant blue sky in Pulwama town. The constant thud of blasts and a rat-a-tat of gunfire emanating from gun-battle site in nearby Sirnoo area were clearly heard in town. Around 9 am, as the first civilian with a fatal bullet wound was rushed to the district hospital Pulwama, the hospital administration alerted its staff by activating the “yellow code”.
Soon all the doctors on duty—physicians, surgeons, pediatricians, ophthalmologist—along with paramedics made a dash for the emergency ward. Although the victim was brought dead, the worst was still far from over.
Minutes later, local residents swarmed in the premises of the hospital bringing injured to the facility. Some were brought in private vehicles, while others were ferried on motorcycles.
As the number of the injured began swelling, medical superintendent Dr Rashid Para hurriedly called ambulances from the neighbouring medical facilities as well.
“As number increased and many of the injured had suffered firearm injuries, we needed to send them to Srinagar for advanced treatment,” said Dr Para.
The hospital authorities appealed the attendants and general public for the donation of blood and within an hour they managed to arrange as many as 35 points of blood of different groups.
First, it was Amir Hussain Pal, then AbidHussain Lone and OwaisYousuf. A few minutes later, it was Suhail Ahmad and Liaqat, while a little later, Murtaza Ahmad was brought—all were pronounced dead on arrival.
The people—mostly the friends—who ferried the dead and the injured to the hospital were crying loud while many raised pro-Islam and pro-freedom slogans.
“Doomsday. Yes, it is doomsday. We all will be killed one by one,” said a man while letting out a doleful cry.