Terrorists storm CRPF training camp in Pulwama, 4 jawans dead

The heavily-armed men hurled grenades and opened fire, trying to enter the training camp located in Awantipora.

Pic Courtesy: ANI

NEW DELHI: At least three terrorists attacked the training centre of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in the wee hours of Sunday. The incident left four jawans dead and three others injured.

The injured jawans have been shifted to a hospital in Srinagar and all three terrorists have been nutralised.

The entire area has been cordoned off. The operation is currently underway, with heavy firing from both sides.

One militant has been killed by security forces. The other militant is still engaged in a gunfight.

The incident took place at around 2.10 am at Lethpora camp.

The heavily-armed militants hurled grenades and opened fire while trying to enter the training camp located in Awantipora. The terrorists fired for nearly 15 to 20 minutes and then fled to a nearby building.

Security forced had prior information about an attack around New Year, senior officers shared with Zee News.

Room-to-room and floor-to-floor intervention are currently going on. Paramilitary forces have also assumed positions to tackle the terrorists holed up in the camp.

Speaking exclusively to Zee News, RR Bhatnagar, DG, CRPF Camp said, "The gunbattle between the terrorists and security forces left three jawans injured. One is in serious condition. The terrorists have been contained inside the camp. The operation is underway."

Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) hand is suspected in the attack.

"The attack took place around 2 am. JeM hand is likely behind the attack. The terrorists are suicide attackers. Soon we'll soon be able to flush them (terrorists) out and neutralise the entire event," said SP Vaidya, DG, Kashmir.

Internet services have been suspended in the area.

"Fidayeen managed to enter Lethpora camp at 0210hrs. As per report two of our men got injured during initial intrusion from J&K Police Commando training area side. There is quite a possibility of similar type of attack on other camp also," CRPF said.

Last week,  top JeM commander Noor Mohammad Tantray was killed in an encounter with the security forces in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on December 26. 

Known as the "merchant of death", Tantray was a dreaded terrorist and the mastermind behind organising several attacks across in J&K. The death came as a major blow to JeM, the internationally banned terror outfit.