SRINAGAR: Militants today struck in a big way two days ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir, storming an Army camp in Uri in Baramulla district, killing 11 security personnel, including a Lt Col, and following it up with multiple attacks in Srinagar, Tral and Shopian.
A top LeT commander and seven militants were also killed in the incidents that left one civilian dead.
In a pre-dawn attack ahead of third phase of J-K Assembly elections on December 9, heavily armed militants killed 8 Army men and three policemen around 3.10 AM at the army camp in Mohra in Uri tehsil of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Six militants were also killed in the attack at the Army camp which is 20 km from the Line of Control (LoC), official sources said.
Lt Colonel Sankalp Kumar of Punjab Regiment and seven Army personnel were among the dead. While bodies of four army personnel were charred, one had burn injuries and the other three had bullet injuries, the sources said.
Six AK rifles with 55 magazines, two shotguns, 2 Night Vision Binoculars, 4 Radio Sets, 32 unused Grenades, one Medical Kit and a large quantity of miscellaneous warlike stores were recovered from the dead terrorists.
Uri is about 100 km northwest of Srinagar, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to campaign on Monday. The sources said that Modi will go ahead with his visit to the Valley where he is slated to address a rally.
In Rajouri of Jammu region, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Pakistan should immediately take steps to stop this. “If Pakistan is facing problems in stopping this, then they should talk to India. We are willing to help them.
He said infiltration continues from across the border and the militants enter from Pakistan and create destruction here. “Is Pakistan not answerable to this?” he asked.
In Delhi, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said, “It is possible that this has happened because of elections.”
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the attack was a “desperate attempt” to disrupt peace and normalcy.
“Once again shows the desperate levels militants will go to disrupt peace and normalcy,” he tweeted.
Police said at least six militants had infiltrated into the Valley from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir recently. (AGENCIES)
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