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Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Aug 17: In one of the most audacious attacks, militants today ambushed an Army convoy in North Kashmir’s Baramulla town killing two Army men and a cop and wounded three security men.
The attack comes two days after Army foiled a major infiltration attempt in Uri sector of Baramulla district killing 5 militants on the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. Two militants were killed in old city area of Srinagar on the same day when militants tried to storm into a police station and a CRPF officer was also killed in the shootout.
SSP Imtiaz Hussain, said that 3 militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) ambushed an army convoy in Baramulla town early today. “Two Army and one police men were killed in the attack and two Army men and a cop were injured”, he added.
“The attack took place at around 2.30 am when the Army convoy was on its way to border town of Uri and militants ambushed it from a lane in Baramulla town. One of our police vehicle that was also on its way to Baramulla was caught in the ambush”, the SSP said.
“We launched a massive search operation during the night only but they managed to flee. We were already knowing about their presence around Baramulla town for last over a month but due to violence across Kashmir, they managed to consolidate and carry out an attack”, he said.
DIG North Kashmir, Uttam Chand, while giving details of the attack told reporters: “The attack took place at 2.30 am on an Army convoy and our one vehicle was also in the convoy. Two Army personnel and a cop were martyred in the attack. We have started investigation and whosoever is involved will be dealt under law. We have some inputs and we will do something soon.”
The deceased have been identified as J Gosh of 809 of Army’s Transport Company, Signalman Shakti Singh and Constable PP Singh of Jammu and Kashmir Police.
The injured have been identified as Sepoy Pawan Kumar of 528 of Army’s Supplies Unit, Sepoy V Laxman, 809 of Army’s Transport unit; Sepoy T K Dass of 528 of Army’s Supplies Unit and SPO Nazir Ahmad, driver SOG Baramulla Police.
Sources said that the militants who attacked the Army convoy have been identified as Ali, Hamza and Hanif of JeM. They are said to have stayed in old town Baramulla before carrying out an attack. Sources said that they crossed river Jhelum soon after the attack and left for Rafiabad.
Sources further said that the security forces had several inputs about JeM planning attack in Baramulla.
Hizbul Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the attack on Army convoy and they have threatened to carry out more such attacks against security forces.
Security forces killed 99 militants this year which is the highest in recent years. However, the levels of infiltration from Pakistan into Kashmir have increased. As per Multi Agency Centre (MAC), 56 militants managed to infiltrate till June this year and last year it was 36 for whole year.
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