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Terror attack in Punjab`s Gurdaspur: As it happened
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The incident that happened today in Dinanagar is saddening, says Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal, adding, "We congratulate Punjab Police because they have fought a big battle today."
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that the timing and methodology of the Gurdaspur terror attack was "eerily similar" to the past incidents in Jammu region. In a series of tweets, Omar wrote, "will be very interested to see what emerges about the identity of the terrorists involved in the Gurdaspur attack this morning. The timing of the attack, methodology and location are all eerily similar to attacks in the border belt of Jammu."
"Where the heck are the bulletproof jackets and helmets? Their knees are better protected than their heads and chests!" he said.
A high alert has been sounded at the border posts in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts, having a 241 km long border with Nepal, in the wake of a terror attack in Gurdaspur district of Punjab today.
"We have sounded an alert in the district and at all the border posts along the porous Indo-Nepal border, keeping in mind the possibility of terrorists sneaking in from Nepal border into Indian territory. We are coordinating with the SSB, ITBP, Army and local intelligence units in this connection and have instructed the special task operation force officers (SOTF), main force safeguarding the Indo-Nepal border," Pithoragarh SP, Roshan Lal Sharma said.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today expressed shock and grief over the terror attack in Punjab's Gurdaspur. Condemning the attack, the CM called for greater cooperation and sharing of information between the states to counter such incidents in future which threaten the safety and security of the innocent people - PTI.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today condemned the terror attack in Gurdaspur district of Punjab, terming it a 'cowardly act', as per PTI. The CM said that the manner in which these heavily armed terrorists went on a rampage and attacked a bus carrying passengers demonstrated their complete disregard of human values and rights.
We will have to unite against divisive forces which perpetrate such dastardly acts, says Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Punjab terror attack.
Because of the nature of the situation in the state, our security forces including the Army, BSF and police is always at an alert, but following the today's terrorist attack in Dina Nagar area of Punjab, we have further beefed up security in the Jammu region, says DIG, Jammu-Kathua range, Ashok Wani.
Security has been beefed up in the entire Jammu region particularly along Indo-Pak border following today's terrorist attack in the Dina Nagar area of neighbouring Punjab. In Jammu city, checking and frisking of vehicles and people have been increased at several checkpoints for incoming vehicles into the city - PTI.
Attack on innocent people in Dinanagar is a highly condemnable and cowardice act of enemies of peace, which shall be handled with iron hand, says Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
As per MHA sources Lashkar-e-Taiba behind Gurdaspur attack. 2 GPS, 3 AK-47, 10 magazines, 2 China made grenades recovered - ANI.
NSA Ajit Doval to meet PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday to brief him on Gurdaspur attack, as per a TV channel.
Security was beefed up across Uttarakhand today in the wake of a terror attack in Gurdaspur district in neighbouring Punjab. Police patrolling around vital installations including railway stations and ISBTs as well as places of tourist interest like the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar and Rishikesh have been stepped up following the terrorist attack in the Punjab town, Uttarakhand DGP B S Sidhu told reporters, as per PTI.
Meeting called by Home Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss Gurdaspur attack ends.
It is a very serious terror attack: NSA Ajit Doval at North Block on Gurdaspur terror attack.
Punjab CM Prakash Singh Badal holds Cabinet meeting post terror attack in Gurdaspur.
The Pakistani government condemns attack on police station in Punjab on Monday. "Pakistan reiterates its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," the statement said, as per Reuters . "We extend heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the government and people of India," it added.
The Assam government sounded a high alert on Monday to thwart any attack by anti-national forces, on a day terrorists killed seven people in Punjab - IANS.
Pakistan has denounced terror attack in Punjab's Gurdaspur, as per a TV channel.
Baljit Singh, the police officer, who was today killed in the gun-battle with terrorists in Gurdaspur district, was a son to a policeman, who too was killed by militants during the height of militancy in Punjab in 1984. Baljit had joined the force in 1985 as ASI following the death of his father, Inspector Achhar Singh, who was killed in a road accident masterminded by terrorists a year earlier. Besides his wife, Baljit is survived by a son, Maninder Singh (24), daughters Parminder Kaur (22) and Ravinder Kaur (20), as per PTI.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal pays homage to security personnel martyred in Gudaspure terror attack. He tweeted the following:
Terrorists were carrying were carrying sophisticated weapons, had AK 47s on them: Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Saini. They also had military clothes, GPS units and were well trained. We have recovered 'Made in China' grenades from them. They were wearing combat fatigues, he added.
He also said that there is no evidence as of now of Khalistani terror group link to Gudaspur terror attack.
Six trains running on the Amritsar-Pathankot route have been cancelled after the police recovered bombs on the railway tracks following the Gurdaspur terror attack, as per PTI.
Gurdaspur terror attack is a condemnable act of cowardice. My deepest condolences to families of the martyrs & victims who lost their lives, tweets Anandiben Patel, Gujarat CM.
Today people, government and police of Punjab have defeated terrorism, heroic acts of bus driver,civilians and policemen have made us proud. I pay my homage to policemen who have laid their lives in service of our nation while gallantly fighting terrorists in Punjab, tweets Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Meeting called by Home Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss Gurdaspur attack begins.
Chants of 'Punjab police zindabad' heard as Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Saini speaks to reporters.
Too early to say if the militants came from Pakistan, Punjab Police DGP tells reporters.
Four security personnel have been killed, including a SP rank operation, confirms Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh. He also said that three civilians and three terrorists have also been killed.
The militants are suspected to be a part of LeT or Jaish-e-Mohammed: MHA Sources on Gurdaspur attack, as per ANI.
Normalcy is said to be returning to Gurdaspur as locals are back in the streets after the terror operation ends.
Saddened to hear about killings in Gurdaspur. We must unitedly pledge to fight terror. Condolences to families of brave men who lost lives. tweets West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Ofiicial Twitter handle of Congress posts - "Congress president Sonia Gandhi has unequivocally condemned the terror attack in Gurdaspur in Punjab. Expressing grave concern over rising trend of separatist terror, Gandhi said Congress resolutely stood against such forces and combated it. She extended her condolence to the families of martyred security personnel and others who had lost their lives in the attack.
Strongly condemn the cowardly attack in Gurdaspur. Terror has no place in a civilized society, it is a weapon of the weak, tweets Anurag Thakur.
10 killed in terror strike including all 3 terrorists and 4 police officers, as per latest report.
We would appeal people that if they see any suspicious person,thing or vehicle,then please contact us, says Rajan Bhagat, Delhi Police PRO.
This happened under umbrella of ISIS, says former Punjab DGP KPS Gill.
Security on high alert at Somnath temple, Gujarat after terror attack in Gurdaspur.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh has called a meeting to discuss Gurdaspur attack at 6 PM. Meeting to be attended by Defence Minister, NSA and officials from security agencies, as per ANI.
As Gurdaspur terror attack ends, victory chants by Punjab SWAT at the spot can be heard: Reports
As per latest reports there were three militants inside the police station complex and all of them have been killed.
Operation to flush out terrorists from Gurdaspur police station is over: Reports
As per a report in a leading Daily, Punjab Police personnel said that they heard terrorists shout Islamic slogans as a gunfight between attackers and security forces in Gurdaspur ensued.
Horrified by and condemn the attack by terrorists on innocents in Dinanagar, Gurdaspur. Confident PMO and govt taking best possible steps. Sure authorities on the ground, with Central officials will defeat designs of attackers. Govt has taken all steps to mitigate damage. The dastardly Gurdaspur attack is terrible shocking and unfortunate for the residents of Gurdaspur. Guilty won't be spared, says Gurdaspur MP Vinod Khanna.
Condemning today's terror strike in Gurdaspur, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad says, security forces are fully equipped and motivated to counter evil designs of the Pakistani establishment.
Coming down heavily on Pakistan and its terror- manufacturing apparatus, he says India, in the past, has braved numerous attempts aimed at destabilisation or violation of territorial integrity.
Three civilians, four police personnel and 2 militants have been killed until now in Gurdaspur terror attack, reports say.
While offering condolences to the martyred, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi says, it is important for the Centre as well as the state government to take strong action against such terror incidents.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today says, a red alert has been issued across Assam following a terror attack in Gurudaspur district of Punjab.
Also Read: Encounter prolongs as forces avoid more casualties
While two terrorists have been gunned down by the security forces, two more militants still continue to be engaged with the forces.
Several activists of the Shiv Sena burn the Pakistani flag to protest "Pak-sponsored" terror attack in Gurdaspur, Punjab.
ADG Daljeet Singh Chaudhary says, all units including STF and ATS have been alerted following Gurdaspur terror attack.
NCP supremo Sharad Pawar slams NDA government over Gurdaspur terror attack incident, says it is a failure on its part.
Jammu & Kashmir SWAT team in Gurdaspur to assist security forces in neutralising terrorists.
Indian youth Congress members protest against Centre over Gurdaspur terror attack incident in Delhi.
Congress leader Rajeev Shukla held the Centre and Punjab Government responsible for the terror attack in Gurdaspur and said that the ruling BJP has failed to cope up with the present situation.
Deputy Commissioner of Gurdaspur Abhinav Trikha confirms one militant has been killed and another seriously injured by security forces.
I will give statement on Gurdaspur terror incident in Parliament tomorrow, says Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister assures Lok Sabha that Home Minister Rajnath Singh will make a statement on Gurdaspur terror incident after the encounter is over.
Security in Delhi has been beefed up and a red alert has been sounded following a terror attack in Punjab.
The Uttar Pradesh government has sounded a high alert across the state after the terror attack in Punjab.
Officials say the Intelligence Bureau had tipped of Uttar Pradesh Police on "certain threat perceptions" which were "attended to immediately".
Home Minister Rajnath Singh orders BSF to immediately move forces to Gurdaspur to assist police following attack by suspected terrorists.
"We want peace with Pakistan, but not at the cost of national honour," Singh says.
Amidst reports emerging that the terrorists came from Pakistan, the Home Minister says, "I can't understand why time and again cross border terror incidents are taking place when we want good relations with our neighbour."
"We will not be the first to strike, but if we are hit, we will give a befitting reply," the Home Minister noted.
Also Read: Panic grips Dina Nagar in Gurdaspur after terror attack
Also Read: Gurdaspur terror attack: 8 Top facts
Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu says the government will make a statement in the Parliament after the encounter is over.
The senior BJP leader appeals to all the political parties to stand united and speak in one voice against Gurudaspur terror attack incident.
In an apparent reference to the Congress, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister maintains that political parties should refrain from playing politics on terror related incidents.
"In such matters (Gurdaspur terror attack), there should be no politics. We should speak in one voice. While many Opposition parties have joined together in condemning this terrorist attack and are also expressing solidarity, it is unfortunate that the main Opposition party which ruled the country for years started disturbing even those statements," says Naidu.
"It is sending a very wrong signal. They should understand. I appeal to them. The entire country, and more so a party like Congress, should speak in one voice at least on issues of national security," he said apparently seeking to project Congress as isolated in Parliament."
An injured security personnel confirmed that there is a woman terrorist among the other attackers, according to news agency ANI.
Punjab's Superintendent of Police (Detective) Baljit Singh dies in gunbattle with terrorists in Gurdaspur, informs IG Gaurav Yadav.
Condeming the terror attack in Gurdaspur, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal assures all measures will be taken to maintain law and order and the safety of people in the state.
Badal, who is on a visit to Poland starting today, asks people to remain calm and maintain peace and harmony in the state.
Indian Youth Congress members protest over Gurdaspur terror attack and demand Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal's resignation.
Commenting on the Gurdaspur terror attack incident, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal says, militancy a national problem, not a state problem.
The SAD leader emphasises on formulating a national policy for tackling terrorism.
While speaking to ANI, Badal says: "The terrorists didn't come from Punjab, they come from border. If there was an input then it was their (MHA) job to seal the border. If there was input why wasn't the border sealed?"
Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Anand Sharma condemns the terror attack in Punjab. The Congress MP questioned Pakistan's intentions in improving Indo-Pak relations.
He appealed to the Indian government to give a befitting reply to such provocation.
"The terror attack raises many questions about the intention of Pakistan and India and the people of this country strongly condemn this attack and the loss of lives in the ongoing militant attack," Sharma says.
"If the reports of militants coming from Pakistan are true then surely its is a failure of Intelligence agencies and security forces," Sharma adds.
The Congress leader asks PM Narendra Modi to break his silence and tell the nation what happened after his meeting with Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif in Russia.
Security tightened n Parliament premises after Gurdaspur terror incident.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's advisor Harcharan Bains says the Punjab Police is giving a befitting reply to the terrorists, who have attacked the Dina Nagar Police Station in border district ofGurdaspur.
Bains confirms that Punjab Police is dealing with the situation, the other forces are standing by for any possible help that we might require.
A high alert has been sounded and security strengthened across Punjab, neighbouring Haryana and Union Territory of Chandigarh in the wake of the terror attack which came less than three weeks before the country's Independence Day.
Border Zone, Ishwar Chander, confirms there was no hostage situation in the Gurdaspur terror attacks.
"Four-five people attacked police station in the morning, we have engaged them in an encounter. We are on the job, there is nohostage situation, it is a Punjab police commando op," says Sharma.
Security forces in Punjab went on "maximum alert" in the wake of suspected terror attack in Gurdaspur district. A senior police official says that in view of the attack, "maximum alert" has been sounded across the state and security has been beefed up along its borders with neighbouring Jammu and Kashmir.
Reports say that the terrorists came form Pakistan's Norwal.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday described the militant attack at Punjab's Dinanagar town as "cowardly".
Press Information Bureau confirms that so far five persons, including three civilians and two police personnel have been killed in Gurdaspur terror attack incident.
Centre to make a statement in Parliament on Punjab terror attack later in the day.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley expected to brief the media in Parliament complex shortly.
Also Read - Gurdaspur terror attack: No one taken hostage, says Rijiju
The government of India is capable enough to deal with the situation, says Jitendra Singh, minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office following a militant attack in Punjab's Gurdaspur district on Monday.
"This is a zone which has been vulnerable for quite some time. There have been reports of Pak infiltration earlier also," Jitendra Singh says.
PM Narendra Modi chairs high level meeting with Union Ministers Manohar Parrikar, Arun Jaitley and Venkaiah Naidu in Parliament complex.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar says the Home Minsitry is closely monitoring the situation and it will not be appropriate to him to make any comments as the operation is till underway.
"Counter insurgency and counter terror special forces are engaging with the militants, the operation will soon be over," Parrikar asserts.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi condemns the terror attack and expresses condolences to the families of the deceased.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh speaks to mediaperosns, says he is confident that the security forces will soon eliminate the terrorists and successfully end the operation.
While refusing to divulge further details, Rajnath says the Centre is closely monitoring the situation will make a statement after the operation is over.
PM Narendra Modi to meet senior ministers shortly to deliberate on Gurdaspur terror attack.
Also Read: Punjab terror attack: High alert across nation, India-Pakistan border
Ministry of Home Affairs confirms of no hostage situation in Punjab's Gurdaspur.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju says encounter is still underway. Rijiju, however, refused to divulge any details regarding the incident.
Some reports say that all the cops in Dinanagar Police Station have been killed by the militants.
The assailants also targeted a building where the families of police personnel reside and threw grenades.
Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashutosh condemns the terror attack in Punjab. He tweets:
Punjab Congres leader Pratap Singh Bajwa suspects the terror attack as a joint operation between J&K militants and Khalistani militants, who underwent training in Pakistan's Punjab province.
Reports say that one terrorist has been killed by the security forces inside the police station in Gurdaspur.
One Punjab SSG jawan is reported to be injured in the gunfight.
Punjab Special Security Group (SSG) reaches the spot to help the security officials to eliminate the terrorists.
Also Read: Terror attack: Rajnath Singh speaks to Badal on Gurudaspur
Reports suggest that Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) is behind the Punjab terror attack. LeT was responsible for the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, which killed 166 people.
Terrorists attack a hospital near police station in Gurdaspur. Two patients are reported to de dead in the firing.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh to convene a meeting with NSA Ajit Doval and Home Secretary LC Goyal soon.
Earlier, Singh spoke to Doval and Goyal to review the situation in Gurudaspur.
As the terrorists continues to create mayhem inside a police station in Punjab's Gurdaspur, Army takes charge of the operation.
Death toll of Gurdaspur terror attack increases to five.
The attackers, who were wearing Army uniform, then entered the Dinanagar Police Station and also opened fire at the police personnel. Three persons were injured there including Dinanagar SHO Mukhtiar Singh, he further says.
The assailants came in a car and they first opened fire at a moving bus which was coming to Punjab side from Jammu and Kashmir on the Amaritsar-Pathankot highway. Four passengers were injured in it, who have been hospitalised, SSP Gurdaspur Gurpreet Singh says.
A major railway tragedy was averted after five live bombs found near a bridge on the railway track on the Amritsar-Pathankot section.
The bombs were carefully wired to the railway track at a small bridge near Parmanand railway station, five km from Dinanagar.
Giving his first reaction on the terrorist attack, Home Minister Rajnath Singh expressed confidence saying the situation will soon be brought under control.
Reacting to the unfortunate incident National Conference leader Omar Abdullah tweeted:
"Will be very interested to see what emerges about the identity of the terrorists involved in the Gurdaspur attack this morning."
"The timing of the attack, methodology & location are all eerily similar to attacks in the border belt of Jammu," his another tweet says.
The Home Ministry has also dispatched a team of National Security Guards (NSG) to help in neutralising the gunmen.
A gun battle was on between the terrorists, holed up inside a police station, and security forces. Five bombs were found on the Amritsar-Pathankot railway track.
Suspected terrorists from Pakistan early Monday fired indiscriminately in Punjab’s Dinanagar town in the frontier district of Gurdaspur, leaving at least three people killed and five injured.
The terrorists fired at people near the Dinanagar bus stand and then attacked the Dinanagar police station.
Dinanagar town is close to the Jammu and Kashmir border.
According to police, the attackers first targeted a roadside eatery and took off in a Maruti 800 with Punjab registration number. They shot dead a roadside vendor near Dinanagar bypass.
They then opened fire on the bus before targeting a community health centre adjacent to Dinanagar police station, killing three civilians including a woman and a policeman.
The gunmen then entered the Dinanagar police station and opened fire in which five policemen were seriously injured.
After nearly 12 hours, the Gurdaspur terror attack in Punjab's Dinanagar town came to an end on Monday evening as state police killed all three terrorists in counter-operation.