Terrorists attack Kashmir army camp, kill 3 soldiers

A group of heavily armed fidayeens (suicide bombers) stormed into the highly fortified army garrison and launched a Uri-style attack, leaving three soldiers, including an officer, dead and five others injured at Panzgam village near the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Thursday.

Two terrorists were gunned down while the third managed to escape after suffering injuries in the 35-minute-long operation. The army has recovered three AK 47 rifles, nine magazines, one under barrel grenade launcher (UBGL), three UBGL grenades, three hand grenades, two radio sets, maps and food items.

The hero of the operation was 26-year-old Captain Ayush Yadav of Kanpur, who stood like a rock to stop the terrorists from entering the living area of the garrison.

“Yadav was martyred when he tried to stop the terrorists from entering the living area,” said Colonel Surabh Joshi. The encounter started at 4.30 am, when the terrorists entered the garrison from the rear side by cutting two layers of the barbed wire fence.

However, the alert sentry immediately fired at the terrorists. Quick Reaction Team (QRT) of the garrison rushed to the spot and fired from all directions, cornering the terrorists in one place. “The QRT started effective and heavy fire, forcing one terrorist to flee,” said Colonel Joshi.

Situated on the plateau, the strategically placed garrison houses artillery units and other formations. Located just 10 km from the LoC, this area has is a favorite infiltration route for terrorists.

“Throughout the operation, no terrorist was able to enter the living area. Recovery of an additional AK 47 rifle indicated the presence of a third terrorist. He was injured and left his weapon,” he said.

“The operation was over in minimum time. It looks like that they were foreign terrorists. The hunt is on for the third,” said Joshi

Besides Captain Yadav, two other soldiers were also killed in the gunfight while five suffered injuries. The slain soldiers have been identified as 46-year-old Subaidar Bhoop Singh Gujjar and 38-year- old Naik Bhoota Venkata Ramanna. Hailing from Dausa, Rajasthan, Gujjar is survived by his wife Rama Devi. Naik Ramanna of Vizag, Andhra Pradesh, is survived by his wife M Anitha.

Tension gripped the area after a local resident was killed when security forces opened fire at a mob demanding the bodies of two terrorists turned violent.

FOUR BIG ATTACKS

• Aug 15, 2016: CRPF commandant killed, 8 injured in Srinagar. Two holed-up terrorists killed.
   
• Sept 18: Four JeM terrorists storm Uri army camp. 19 soldiers  killed, over 20 hurt. All terrorists killed.
   
• Nov 29: Nagrota army camp attacked. Seven soldiers killed. Three terrorists killed in daylong fight.
   
• Jan 9, 2017: Terrorists attack General Reserve Engineering Force camp, kill three labourers. injure another.

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Security features not updated

The Army camp near Kupwara did not have enhanced security features that include a nine-foot wall with an electric security fence equipped with sensors.