Srinagar encounter: The two militants reportedly took refuge inside a nearby building and the area has been cordoned off by the CRPF. (Source: ANI)
Security forces in Srinagar’s Karannagar area are currently locked in an encounter with militants after the latter’s attempt to infiltrate a CRPF camp early Monday morning was foiled.
A CRPF spokesman said: “The sentry at the camp noticed two suspicious persons at around 4.30 am, carrying backpacks and weapons. He challenged them and opened fire.”
The two militants reportedly took refuge inside a nearby building and the area has been cordoned off by the CRPF. A jawan who was injured in the firing succumbed to his injuries. The Lashkar-e-Taiba claimed responsibility for today’s attack.
The attack comes two days after suspected Jaish-e-Mohammad militants struck an Army camp in Sunjwan area of Jammu, killing six people including five soldiers.
READ | CRPF men foil militants’ bid to attack Srinagar camp, encounter underway
Srinagar encounter LIVE UPDATES:
Meanwhile, two Lashkar militants were killed in an accident in north Kashmir's Sopore town. One of the two militants has been identified as a local.
The encounter between the security forces and militants is underway, a CRPF spokesperson told The Indian Express.
The most disturbing fact is that attacks are now taking place in Jammu which had always been safe. Kashmir was unsafe and now this govt has made Jammu unsafe too. If Centre is not being able to provide them security it means there is some fault with their policies: Ghulam Nabi Azad tells ANI.
The Lashkar-e-Taiba claimed responsibility for the attacks in Sunjwan Karannagar, reports ANI.
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly today observed a two-minute silence in memory of five Army personnel and a civilian who were killed in a terror strike on the Sunjwan Army camp here.
Following the encounter at a CRPF camp in Karannagar, the government suspended 3G and 4G internet services suspended in Srinagar.
We fought and won all wars against Pakistan but even now today there is no solution other than dialogue, till when will our jawans and civilians keep dying. Wonder what some media houses would have called Atalji if he took bus to Lahore in today's time&talked of dialogue: J&K CM
Meanwhile, in Jammu, the Army is conducting search operations at its Sunjwan camp after suspected JeM killed six people including five soldiers. Three JeM militants were also killed in the attack and a large quantity of arms and ammunition was seized.
The CRPF camp is located close to SMHS Hospital which came under militant attack on February 6. A Pakistani militant, Naveed Jutt, was freed by the militants after firing at policemen who were accompanying him.
The mortal remains of Subedar Madal Lal Choudhary neing brought to his residence in Kathua. He was among the five jawans killed in a militant attack on an Army camp in Jammu.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman leaves for Jammu to assess security situation, reports ANI.
Meanwhile, IPS officer SP Pani (right) official took over as inspector general of police (IGP) Kashmir. He replaces Munir Khan.
Ravideep Sahai, IG CRPF, told ANI: Two militants tried to barge into CRPF headquarters in the morning. They couldn't enter the headquarters but sneaked into a building close to the HQ. 5 families have been evacuate. The operation is on.
A CRPF jawan who was critically injured in the firing succumbed to his injuries.
Meanwhile, fresh snowfall on Monday in J&K led to the closure of the Jammu-Kashmir highway, which is Kashmir's only link to the rest of the country. PTI reported that there was accumulation of snow around Jawahar Tunnel in Qazigund area.
"Due to slippery road conditions and fresh snowfall at the Jawahar tunnel and other areas, the highway has been closed," a senior traffic department official said.
CRPF and police began a search operation to track down the two militants.
A local resident told The Indian Express that they heard gunshots close to the Medical College. “The firing has now stopped,” he said.
The officials said two militants tried to sneak into the 23 Battalion CRPF camp in the early hours.