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Four militant attacks in J&K, 11 security personnel, 7 militants killed

by IBNS 05 Dec 2014, 12:24 pm

Srinagar, Dec 5 (IBNS): Resulting in a black day for Jammu and Kashmir, four terror strikes in less than 12 hours hit the northern state on Friday with at least 11 security personnel losing their lives in the massive encounter at an Army camp near the border area in Uri sector.

While the Uri suicide attack is over resulting in the killing of at least eight Army personnel including an officer, three cops and six terrorists, three other militant attacks were reported from the state.
 
According to the latest reports, the fourth attack took place when a grenade was hurled near a bus stand in Tral in Pulwama district in a move to target the civilians.
 
One civilian has died while nine others have been injured in the attack.
 
Earlier, a grenade attack has hit J&K's Shopian Police Station.
 
However, no casualty was reported from the attack.
 
In another strike, an encounter was carried out in Soura area of Srinagar, where one militant was killed.
 
Meanwhile, the Army in Uri sector is now carrying out combing operation to search for militants possibly hiding in the area.
 
Sources said heavily armed militants allegedly sneaked across the Line of Control and entered the camp in Uri at around 3.30 am. There were some militants holed up in the camp where intense firing took place all morning.
 
Militants also fired at policemen who rushed to the spot after hearing gunshots. 
 
The Army has now stated the strike as a suicidal attack.
 
The three attacks on Friday seem to be coordinated ones, which come ahead of of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign in Uri, near the Line of Control, which is around 100 kilometres (60 miles) northwest of Srinagar.
 
The terror strikes are now supposedly seen as an endeavour to disrupt the peaceful Assembly polls that are being held in Jammu and Kashmir. 
 
The first two phases of polling have seen a heavy turnout. Results will be declared on December 23.
 
Reacting to the attacks, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh blamed Pakistan for the terror strikes.
 
"If Pakistan can't stop these attacks, let it take India's help," he said.
 
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has condemned the attacks strongly.
 
"My heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in the 4 attacks today. I hope @HMOIndia takes steps to plug the gaps in C I grid. It's been a terrible day - 4 attacks & a number of deaths - security forces & innocent civilians killed in the valley today," Abdullah tweeted.
 
"Militants have struck an army camp in North Kashmir between Baramulla & Uri. Security force casualties are feared. It's an ongoing encounter. JK Police & army are responding to the attack in Uri. Once again shows the desperate levels militants will go to to disrupt peace & normalcy," he tweeted earlier in the day.
 
In Delhi, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said, "We have killed three of them (militants) and we will eliminate the remaining.The ones who are left are trapped." 
 
"It is possible that this has happened because of elections," he said.
 
Earlier on November 27, three soldiers and five civilians were killed as a group of terrorists crossed over, opened fire at an army column on patrol and entered an unused bunker in the Arnia sector of Jammu.
 
Four militants were also killed in a counter firing by the army jawans.
 
In fact on Wednesday, a major Infiltration bid was foiled by the Army in state's Naugam area. Six heavily armed terrorists were killed.