Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 29

Terror returned to Jammu and Kashmir today when a group of heavily armed terrorists stormed into an Army unit at Nagrota and killed two Army officers and five soldiers.In another gunfight at the International Border (IB) in Ramgarh sub-sector of Samba, three infiltrators were killed and five BSF men, including a Deputy Inspector General, and a police Inspector were injured in a gunfight which lasted several hours. During the day-long gunfight at Nagrota, three terrorists were eliminated. Combing operations were suspended in the evening and will resume tomorrow.A defence spokesperson said these terrorists, disguised in police uniform, targeted the Army installation located at Kour Jagir near the Baloni nullah in Nagrota area of Jammu, 3 km  from the 16 Corps headquarters. “These terrorists forced their entry into the officers’ mess complex by throwing grenades and firing at the sentries. In the initial counter action, one officer and three soldiers were killed,” the defence spokesperson said.“The terrorists entered two buildings occupied by officers, families and men. This led to a hostage-like situation, which was quickly contained. In the entailing rescue efforts, one more officer and two soldiers lost their lives,” he added. The bodies of three terrorists were recovered. “The combing operations will resume tomorrow morning,” and the area will be sanitised,” the spokesperson added.  Till afternoon, there was heavy exchange of fire between terrorists and the Army. Later, the intensity became low. However, intermittent firing continued till late evening.  This is the first major terror strike after the September 18 Uri attack in which 20 soldiers were killed. The fidayeen attack has been carried out near 16 Corps (White Knight Corps) headquarters at a time when there has been change of guard in the Pakistan army. Reports of ceasefire violation were also received from Uri sector of north Kashmir. 

It was Hostage-like situation at camp

• The terrorists entered two buildings which were occupied by officers, families and men. This led to a hostage-like situation. The situation was quickly contained and thereafter, in a deliberate operation all were successfully rescued, which included 12 soldiers, two women and two children. — Defence spokesperson

Killed in line of duty

• Major Gosavi Kunal Mannadir (33) from Solapur, Maharashtra.Survived by his wife

• Major Akshay Girish Kumar (31) from Bengaluru, Karnataka.Survived by his wife

• Havildar Sukhraj Singh (32)from Batala, Punjab.Survived by his wife Harmeet Kaur

• Lance Naik KS Yeshwantro (32) from Nanded, Maharashtra.Survived by his wife

• Grenadier Raghvendra Singh (28) from Dholpur, Rajasthan.Survived by his wife

• Rifleman Asim Rai (32)from Khotang, Nepal.Survived by his wife