Security forces averted a colossal tragedy on Monday when they foiled a major suicide attack on the highly fortified camp of the Central Reserve Police Force's (CRPF's) 45th Battalion and gunned down four heavily armed foreign terrorists before they could barge inside to unleash mayhem and set the facility here on fire.
The incident occurred around 3.30 am when the four terrorists surfaced from an orchard opposite the camp and tried to crouch their way in by cutting the concertina and barbed-wire fence. An alert sentry fired at the terrorists after observing their suspicious movements, triggering a fierce gunfight that led to all the four terrorists being killed.
What alarmed the security forces was the recovery of petrol bottles from the terrorists — filled in four 750 ml plastic bottles, petrol was to be used to set the camp on fire in a bid to inflict maximum casualties since guard rooms are located near the gate.
"Their intention was obviously to enter the camp and cause massive damage. They were prepared for a long-drawn battle. It was the alertness of our troops and their bravery which stopped them from entering the camp. We were able to liquidate them without suffering losses on our side," said RR Bhatnagar, Director General, CRPF.
The encounter started shortly after sehri (pre-dawn meals during the holy month of Ramzan), when two of the heavily armed terrorists, taking advantage of the darkness, tried to barge into the camp from the roadside.
The alert sentry noticed their unusual movement after stray dogs started barking frantically. The two terrorists came near the main gate and opened heavy fire at the sentry and tried to storm the camp by cutting the barbed-wire fence.
"The alert sentry retaliated with heavy fire. In the first assault itself, two of the terrorists were hit," said Iqbal Ahmad, the commanding officer of the CRPF's 45th Battalion.
Two other terrorists, who were covering the assault party in the front, also came near the fence and opened heavy fire. These terrorists were engaged by the security forces and after a fierce gun fight, they, too, were eliminated.
What complicated the problem, however, was a wind storm that snapped the electricity supply in the area. Maintaining their cool, the security forces fired flares to illuminate the area and prevent the terrorists from fleeing the spot.
"When the flares were fired, the two terrorists thought they have been identified and they started rushing towards us. Our Quick Reaction Team and policemen were present. The firing continued for one and a half hours," Ahmad said.
Security forces recovered a huge quantity of arms and ammunition, including four AK-47 rifles, 12 AK magazines, one UBGL, seven UBGL grenades, nine hand-grenades, cutters and other items.
While conducting a search of the area, the security forces found food wrappers in an empty house in the orchard just opposite the camp. "This proves that they had stayed in the house for the night and attacked the camp after eating the food," said an officer.
