Jammu terrorist attack: Army personnel stationed outside the camp in Sunjwan on Saturday. (Express photo/Praveen Khanna)
Two jawans and as many terrorists were killed after suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists attacked the Sunjwan army camp in Jammu and Kashmir in the wee hours of Saturday. A junior commissioner officer (JCO) was among the deceased and nine others, including five women and children, were injured. The area has currently been cordoned off.
“As part of the ongoing operation in Sunjwan, the Army has killed two heavily armed terrorists. The terrorists were wearing combat uniforms carrying AK 56 assault rifle, large amount of ammunition & hand grenades,” Defence PRO was quoted as saying by ANI. “Search of their belongings confirm the terrorists to be from Jaish-e-Mohammed. So far JCO & 1 NCO both belonging to J&K have been martyred & 9 others are injured. Two of them being critical. Ops will continue till all terrorist are apprehended or killed,” he added.
Read | Two killed, four injured as terrorists open fire at Sunjwan army camp
According to sources, at around 5 am, three to four terrorists entered the JCO family quarters located at the rear side of the army camp. Officials said the terrorists have been cornered in one of the family quarters and the operation is underway.
Read | Jammu and Kashmir: A timeline of terror attacks in 2018
Intelligence inputs had warned an attack on the army or security establishment by JeM in view of the death anniversary of Afzal Guru who was hanged on February 9, 2013. State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Abdul Rehman Veeri informed the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly that Madan Lal Choudhary and Mohammed Ashraf Mir were killed in the attack.
SEE PHOTOS: J&K on high alert after terrorist strike Sunjwan army camp
A woman was killed as Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing along the Line of Control in Nowshera area. The deceased has been identified as Parveen Akhtar of Pukhrani. Police said that firing is still going on.
While the security forces continue with the search ops in Sujuwan Army Camp, fresh ceasefire violation is being reported in Rajouri and Nowshera sector.
Following the attacks at Sujuwan Army camp, the government has now sanctioned Rs 1,487 crore to bolster perimeter security at army installations in J&K, Northeast and some other areas.
As part of the ongoing operation in Sunjwan, the Army has killed two heavily armed terrorists. The terrorists were wearing combat uniforms carrying AK 56 assault rifle, large amount of ammunition & hand grenades. Search of their belongings confirm the terrorists to be from Jaish-e-Mohammed. So far JCO & 1 NCO both belonging to J&K have been martyred & 9 others are injured. Two of them being critical. Ops will continue till all terrorist are apprehended or killed: Defence PRO
Reflecting on the ongoing operation, Defence PRO said the heavily-armed terrorists were wearing combat uniforms carrying AK 56 assault rifle, large amount of ammunition and hand grenades. He also stated that operation will continue till all terrorists are apprehended or killed, ANI reported.
In the wake of Sunjwan Army camp attack, Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti chaired a high-level security meeting in Jammu. The meeting was attended by J&K police, DGP SP Vaid, and other security agencies.
No hostage crisis in Sunjwan Army camp, 19 of the 26 flats have been evacuated as operation continues, ANI reported.
Meanwhile, Army PRO in Jammu said: 'In the early hours today after a brief exchange of fire with the sentry on the periphery, some terrorist entered the gamily accomodation complex in Sunjuwan military camp. The Quick Response Teams have cordoned off the area and isolated the terrorists, who are holed up in a few houses. In operations to evacuate families, so far one JCO has been martyred while six persons including three women and children have suffered injuries. Due to presence of women and children in the housing colony, the operations are being progressed cautiously to minimize casualties.'
"Yes, I said it. It is my personal view, I said it in the house and I don't think anyone should have a problem with it," says National Conference MLA Akbar Lone on shouting 'Pakistan Zindabad' in the Assembly.
I don't feel it is fit to comment on it (attack) since the operation is still underway. But be assured that our forces and jawans are doing their duty, vo aap logon ka mastak jhukne nahi denge (we won't let you down)," Home Minister Rajnath Singh told reporters.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah said, "No day passes by without such incidents and terrorists are all coming from Pakistan. If Pakistan wants good relations with India, they need to stop terrorism or it will have bad consequences. Sadly, I have to say if it continues, India won't stop itself from waging war."
Kavinder said: I watched a live video, one can see Army area from rooftops there (where Rohingyas & Bangladeshis live), there is drug mafia running in those areas. For money some people have given them space to stay. Govt must take note of this."
On the BJP's act of chanting anti-Pakistan slogans in the Assembly, Omar Abdullah tweeted:
Reacting to the attack, Assembly speaker Kavinder Gupta said, "I live in that constituency, complaints have come from there & in a way govt also accepts that number of Rohingyas & Bangladeshis is increasing & that they are a security threat."
'A suspicious move was noticed in the early hours of Saturday. When challenged, it was replied back. A fire exchange broke out and terrorists entered the family quarters. The attack is now under control and operations are underway. Six persons have been injured till now,' the army public relations officer in Jammu said.
Veeri informed the Assembly that a colonel rank officer was among those injured in the Jammu terror attack.
According to intel sources, the attack could be linked to the fifth anniversary of Afzal Guru hanging. The Fidayeens are suspected to be from the JeM/AfzalGuru brigade.
In the Assembly, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Rehman Veeri said two JCOs have been killed and six persons have been injured as of now.
In 2006, terrorists had attacked the same camp, IANS reported. Twelve soldiers were killed and seven others were injured before the two terrorists were neutralised.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted, "Deeply disturbed by the terrorist attack in #Sunjwan today. My heart goes out to the injured & their families."
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has sprung into action, para commandoes were airlifted from Udhampur to Jammu this morning, IAF sources said. Another aircraft is airborne to airlift para commandos from Sarsawa.
In the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, BJP MLAs raised anti-Pakistan slogans, following which the House was adjourned for 15 minutes, ANI reported.
On February 5, an army camp in south Kashmir's Kakapora area was attacked by terrorists. However, no casualties were reported in the attack.
Jammu and Kashmir inspector general of police S D Singh said two persons have been killed and four persons have been injured in the attack.
Authorities have ordered closure of schools in Sunjwan belt, the PTI reported.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the militant attack. Taking to Twitter, he said:
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Jammu and Kashmir directorate general of police Shesh Paul Vaid has apprised him of the situation in Sunjwan and the ministry is now closely monitoring the situation. Read more here