Srinagar: Four terror attacks have been reported from Kashmir since early Friday. Here are the live updates from the Valley:
10:20 pm: Security has been heightened across Srinagar after the brazen attack by the militants. CRPF personnel have also been deployed at all entry and exit points across Srinagar.
9:35 pm: A red alert was sounded in the national capital on Friday over intelligence inputs of a possible terror strike which threw Delhi Police and other security agencies into a tizzy on a day when multiple attacks by militants in Jammu and Kashmir left several persons dead - PTI reported.
8:55 pm: Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag to visit Srinagar tomorrow, will pay tribute to jawans martyred in Uri.
COAS & all ranks of the Indian Army express our heartfelt condolences to the grief stricken families of our heroes. pic.twitter.com/JPczy10cZf
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 5, 2014
COAS & all ranks of the Indian Army express our heartfelt condolences to the grief stricken families of our heroes. pic.twitter.com/PuiSd5Vtsm
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 5, 2014
Indian Army pays homage to the sacrifice made by our heroes in ensuring the safety of our Nation - Gen Dalbir Singh pic.twitter.com/rS69sLIE3C
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 5, 2014
8:10 pm: Army sources reportedly say terrorists who carried out attacks in Jammu and Kashmir today could be linked to Cham training camp in Pakistan.
7:50 pm: The latest reports say that another civilian who was injured in today's terror attack has succumbed to injuries. In the attack in Tral, where a grenade was hurled at a bus top, a civilian had earlier in the day lost his life.
7:00 pm: As the state is struck by the terror attacks, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has made a bizarre statement blaming media for the attacks. Mufti, miffed by a question by a reporter, has said that the media's focus and reporting on the high voter turnout in the Jammu and Kashmir for the Assembly election is the reason for the attacks that took place in four places in the valley.
6:50 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the terror attacks in the state saying that such incidents are desperate attempts to derail the atmosphere of hope and goodwill as seen by increased voter turnout. "125 crore Indians bow to our brave Army men who sacrificed their lives. These men lived & died for the nation. We won't forget them(sic)," the PM wrote on his Twitter handle.
Attacks in J&K are condemnable. They are desperate attempts to derail the atmosphere of hope & goodwill as seen by increased voter turnout.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2014
5:56 pm: Sources say that the terror attacks in the state were synchronised. Terrorists followed similar pattern of attack both in Uri and Srinagar's Soura.
5:40 pm: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has condoled the death of security personnel and civilians in attacks in the Valley. Omar wrote on micro-blogging website, Twitter, "My heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in the four attacks today. I hope @HMOIndia (home minister) takes steps to plug the gaps in C I (counter-insurgency) grid (sic)."
5:12 pm: In the latest update, 11 security men, one civilian and six militants have been killed in the four terror attacks in Uri, Soura, Sophian and Tral.
5:10 pm: The PMO sources have informed that despite the terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir PM Modi's campaign plan remains unchaged for now.
5:05 pm: The security personnel have recovered 55 magazine, 32 grenades, 6 AK-47 assault rifles and 2 shotguns from the dead militants.
4: 42 pm: Rajnath, questions 'why is it that people who indulge in such activities hide in Pakistan' and says that the neighbouring country should speak to India if it is unable stop such attacks.
4: 42 pm: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has once again slams Pakistan for the four terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and says that it should try to stop these incidents.
4:20 pm: Reports say one of the seven persons injured in Pulwama grenade attack has succumbed to his injuries.
4:05 pm: TV reports say Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag has briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
3:55 pm: Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju says security forces are responding to attacks in J&K appropriately. “Definitely there are elements in the Valley to destabilise election process; attacks are unfortunate,” Rijiju said.
3:40 pm: Reports are coming in of a fourth attack in Jammu and Kashmir. A grenade was hurled at a bus stand in Tral area in Pulwama, south Kashmir. Seven civilians have been injured in this attack.
3:20 pm: High alert has been sounded across the Kashmir Valley in the wake of three terror strikes in a single day. The state holds third phase of elections on December 9.
3:15 pm: Reports say the militant gunned down in Soura was a top Lashkar-e-Toiba leader.
3:00 pm: IANS reports that of the 16 killed at Army camp in Uri, seven were soldiers, including a Lt Colonel and a junior commissioned officer; three were policemen; and rest six were terrorists. The attack took place at the Army's Field Ordnance Camp located at Mohra near the border town of Uri.
2:55 pm: The Army has confirmed that the operation at Uri camp is now over as all six terrorists have been gunned down.
Also Read: 16 die as militants attack Army camp in Kashmir
2:40 pm: In Soura, two militants are believed to be holed up inside a house. The guerrillas had attacked a police checkpost triggering a gunfight. The site of the gunbattle is about 10 km from city centre Lal Chowk. Police said the gunbattle is still on and the area has been cordoned off.
2:30 pm: A team of SPG has meanwhile taken over the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to address a rally on December 8.
2:25 pm: In Soura, a gunbattle is on between unspecified number of militants and security forces. The area has, meanwhile, been cordoned off.
2:20 pm: A third attack in less than 12 hours has been reported from Kashmir. Reports said militants hurled a grenade at the Shopian police station in south Kashmir. No one was injured in the attack and the police have launched a combing operation in the area.
2:05 pm: Reports say all six terrorists have been killed at the Army camp in Uri. However, official confirmation is awaited and the search operation is still on at Mohara.
1:50 pm: Another terror attack has been reported from Kashmir. As per reports, two militants opened fire in Soura area on the outskirts of Srinagar. One of the ultras was killed by Army men in the ensuing gunbattle, while the other has reportedly fled. Search operation is on.
1:25 pm: A siren has been sounded at the Army camp. Reports say the siren was aimed at alerting Army personnel present at the camp to remain on highest alert as three terrorists have yet to be neutralised. A search operation is on to find out the holed-up militants.
Initial story (updated till 1:20 pm): At least seven Army personnel were killed when terrorists launched a massive pre-dawn attack on their camp near the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.
PTI quoted sources as saying that apart from the seven Army men, three policemen who had rushed to the attack site have also lost their lives.
Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) AG Mir said three of the six militants who attacked the camp have also been gunned down.
As per sources, the casualty figure could go up as the gunbattle continues between security forces and militants.
The entire area has, meanwhile, been cordoned off. Small grenade blasts could be seen on live television visuals.
News agency ANI had reported that six terrorists were involved in the attack that took place at a camp of 31 Field Regiment at Mohara in Uri sector of the state's Baramullah district.
Reports said the terrorists opened fire at the Army camp at around 3.10 am, in a bid to storm into the camp. They were then engaged by Army personnel leading to the gunfight.
Police officials said the militants had probably infiltrated into the Valley from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir recently. "It is being investigated," they said.
Reacting to the attack, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the Army has been intercepting terrorists and eliminating them. The minister added that three militants have been killed and the rest will be eliminated.
“My heart goes out to Army men who gave life in today's encounter... it is possibly an outcome of the overwhelming voting in J&K,” Jitendra Singh, MoS PMO, said.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the attack in Uri shows “the desperate levels militants will go to to disrupt peace and normalcy”.
Also Read: Militant attack on Army camp desperate attempt to disrupt peace, says Omar
The attack came just four days ahead of elections in Uri and six other constituencies of North Kashmir's Baramulla district on December 9.
Also on December 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a rally in Srinagar.
The state has witnessed a spurt in militant activity as well as infiltration bids in the wake of ongoing polls, especially with a record number of people turning out to vote in the first two phase of polls.
On December 2, Army foiled an infiltration bid in Handwara area of Kupwara district killing six militants while one Army personnel was also killed. The infiltration bid was foiled even as people in Kupwara district were voting to elect their representatives.
(With agency inputs)
