Jaish-e-Mohammad militants attack BSF 182 battalion camp in Srinagar; Jammu and Kashmir cop, among 2 killed

In a predawn strike on Tuesday, Jaish-e-Mohammed militants carried out a fidayeen attack on a BSF camp located near Srinagar International airport, leaving three jawans injured. Two militants have been killed in counter-terror operations so far, ANI reported. However, IANS reported that an assistant sub-inspector succumbed to his injuries taking the total death toll to three.

#FLASH: Another terrorist gunned down during ops at a building inside BSF camp near Srinagar Airport. Total 2 terrorists killed. Ops on. pic.twitter.com/GKAspWiGK1

— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017

Militants managed to enter the 182 Battalion camp in the city’s Humhama area, and launched the attack at 4.30 a.m., according to police sources. A security operation including Army para commandos, BSF, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and state police personnel followed the attack to flush out remaining militants. Terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the attack in one of Srinagar’s most secured area.

Speaking to News18 , Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that anti-terror operations were over. “I have spoken to the Director General of CRPF and BSF. The operation was efficiently pulled off by the CRPF and BSF. One terrorist is yet to be neutralised.” One militant was gunned down by security forces at around 7.30 am, CNN News18 reported. “A body suspected to be that of a militant was found. The identity is yet to ascertained,” Director General of Police SP Vaid told PTI.  

Another militant was killed during the anti-terror operations_, CNN News18_ reported. The attack, which began at 4.15 am amid heavy exchange of firing, ensued for the next one hour, before turning intermittent. “There was continuous firing going on for at least 55 minutes. And all of us squeezed in one room for safety. Then the sirens blared out making the situation tenser,” a resident of Friends Colony located, outside the Airport, told  The Economic Times . 

  The terrorists are holed up inside the building campus of the 182nd Battalion camp, PTI quoted BSF officials as saying. However, sources told CNN-News18 that the encounter is almost over.

According to a India Today report, there was already an intelligence input on a possible attack on the BSF camp outside the highly-guarded area around airport. Since the area of the encounter is near the airport, flights operations were suspended.

Notably, the battalion, which came under attack from militants, is entrusted with security of runway of the Srinagar airport. Kashmir Valley School, which is in vicinity of the area, was also closed as a precautionary measure, ANI reported. Adjacent to the camp is the old Srinagar air field which is been run by the Indian Air force.

The area also houses training centres of the BSF and CRPF. Passengers were stuck inside the airport premises as the area around it was cordoned off by security forces. Nevertheless, the authorities later allowed passengers to enter the airport, in order to avoid any inconvenience.

#UPDATE Srinagar: Troops of CRPF, 53 RR, BSF and SOG zonal have placed cordon around the building where terrorists are holed up.

— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017

#FLASH: Passengers now being allowed to move towards Srinagar airport. Way towards airport was closed earlier, after terror attack nearby. pic.twitter.com/yDwiSEJwtK

— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017

Speaking to CNN News18, Sharad Kumar, director of Srinagar airport, said that flights operations have begun and that the first flight from Delhi will reach Srinagar at 10.10 am. Meanwhile, home minister Rajnath Singh called for a high-level meeting in North Block at 11.30 am, ANI reported.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has called a high level meeting at 11.30 am to discuss J&K issue. (File Pic) pic.twitter.com/SpvYbXqhhT

— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017

  With inputs from PTI