Pampore attack: One soldier injured in ongoing clash as army surrounds militants

A soldier was injured on Monday in the exchange of fire between security forces and militants holed up inside Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) in South Kashmir’s Pampore Town, which had also witnessed a suicide attack in February this year. [caption id=“attachment_3043796” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Security personnel patrolling the area outside the building. Image courtesy: Suhail Bhat[/caption] Two to three militants are believed to have entered into the building of EDI in the early hours of Monday. “One soldier was injured during the exchange of fire with militants holed up inside the building at Pampore,” a source said. [caption id=“attachment_3043798” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Security personnel are trying to demolish the building. Image courtesy: Suhail Bhat[/caption] He also said that further details are awaited as the operation was in progress to flush out the militants. According to the Fire and Emergency service employees, the militants opened fire on them when they trying to douse the fire which had engulfed the upper floor of the seven storey hostel building of EDI. [caption id=“attachment_3043800” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] The Army will conduct the operation slowly to minimise any chances of casuality. Image courtesy: Suhail Bhat[/caption] In February this year, militants had entered another building of the EDI and the operation lasted for nearly 48 hours. Two soldiers, including an officer, a gardener of the institute and three militants were killed in the operation. [caption id=“attachment_3043802” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] The army is prepared to attack the militants as soon as the building is razed. Image courtesy: Suhail Bhat[/caption] As per some sources, the army is going to conduct the operation slowly to avoid any casualties while the militants seem to be using their ammunition calculatively. Their tactic too seems to be the same as in the February attack, which is to prolong the operation and cause maximum casualties. Presently, forces are using Improvised Explosive Devices and Under Body Granate launcher UBGL to demolish the building. [caption id=“attachment_3043806” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] The operation is still underway in the EDI building. Image courtesy: Suhail Bhat[/caption]