Jammu encounter: 3 Armymen among 10 killed ahead of PM Modi's visit

A day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir for Assembly poll campaign, 10 people, including three civilians and as many Armymen, were killed on Thursday in fierce gunbattle when security forces took on militants wearing combat uniform attacked two Army bunkers close to Indo-Pak border.

Jammu: A day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir for Assembly poll campaign, 10 people, including three civilians and as many Armymen, were killed on Thursday in fierce gunbattle when security forces took on militants wearing combat uniform attacked two Army bunkers close to Indo-Pak border.

The dead also included four heavily-armed militants who were holed up in a bunker after they were suspected to have infiltrated into Arnia sector from across the border in Jammu district to carry out a fidayeen attack.

At least one militant was still taking refuge in a bunker and the encounter was underway, police said, adding that tanks were also deployed in a possible step to blast the bunker. The bunkers are abandoned and used only during war.

Modi is due to address a rally on Friday in Udhampur district, which is 100 km from Arnia. The attack also coincided with the SAARC summit in Kathmandu attended by Modi and his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif.

"3 civilians have lost their lives along with 3 army personnel, my condolences to the families. 4 militants have been neutralised in Arnia," Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted.

He had earlier tweeted:

 

There were conflicting reports on the civilian casualty. Divisional Commissioner (Jammu) Shant Manu said the dead included four civilians, three militants and as many Armymen.

Police and officials said that one of the bodies has not yet been recovered. While one version said this was of a civilian, another said it was that of a militant.

According to Omar, all police nakas along the National Highway in Jammu and other sensitive locations have been put on high alert and the situation is being closely monitored.

"As per initial reports from the area, a group of four to five militants infiltrated into Arnia belt from across the border this morning and resorted to firing," a police officer told a news agency, adding the security grid of Army, BSF and Police swung into action and launched a cordon and search for the militants.

An Army official said the militants changed their dresses and wore combat uniforms near a bridge and resorted to firing before entering two bunkers of its 92 Infantry Brigade at a security embankment in Pindi Khattar belt close to the IB.

Security personnel recovered the belongings of militants that included their dresses, blue coloured belts and shoes, an Army official said.

A car has also been seized from the area which might have been used by the militants, the official said.

The official said that militants had either come in this vehicle to carry out the attack or were supposed to take it after infiltrating into Indian territory and take the National Highway route as part of their terror plans.

Inspector General of BSF, Jammu frontier Rakesh Sharma, however, ruled out infiltration of any militant group at the IB in Jammu sector, saying no breach of fencing was seen anywhere. 

Meanwhile, a suspected militant was arrested after security forces foiled an infiltration bid this morning near the LoC in Rajouri district.

Troops noticed some suspicious movement near LoC in Leharan Company Operating Base in Lam Battalion area of Rajouri district around 0630 hours today, a senior Army officer said.

The security personnel responded immediately and foiled an infiltration bid, he said.

During search operation, a suspected militant was apprehended and one AK-47 with 30 rounds, one Pakistan made pistol and Rs 8,100 Pakistan currency were seized from his possession.

He was identified as Adul Qayoomi alias Punjabi, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to campaign for BJP in second phase of Assembly Elections in Udhampur and Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow.

Modi will address a rally in Udhampur district, which is 100 km from Arnia.

According to Kashmir BJP spokesman Farooq Khan, Modi will address rallies in Udhampur district and border district of Poonch at 12 pm and 2:30 pm tomorrow.

Security has been beefed up by BSF along the border and also in Jammu city, Udhampur and Poonch areas.

Army had yesterday said militants were out to disturb the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir but the forces were on alert to foil their designs. 

(With Agency inputs)

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