Terrorists storm into Army family complex in Jammu; Kill two, injure 6

Security personnel (also below) take position around the family quarters of the Sunjuwan Military Station on Saturday. Four militants are believed to be holed up in the camp. Pics/PTI

Suspected Jaish-e-Mohamm­ed terrorists on Saturday struck at an Army camp near Jammu, killing two junior commissioned officers (JCOs) and injuring six others, including a Major rank officer and the daughter of an Army personnel.

The attack
Jammu-based Army PRO Lt Col Devender Anand said, "Around 4.55 am after a brief exchange of fire with sentry on the periphery of the Sunjuwan Military Station, some terrorists entered the family accommodation complex. Quick resp­onse teams have cordoned off the area and isolated the terrorists, who are holed up in a few houses [inside the camp]. Due to the presence of women and children in the colony, the operation is progressing slowly. The terror strike comes 15 months after a similar attack in Nagrota on November 29, 2016, in which seven Army troopers were killed.

The rescue op
Army personnel in bulletproof vehicles rescued people from the family quarters in the rear side of the base, till late in the evening. "The attack has been contained, but the operation is still in progress. A final assault against the holed-up terrorists would be launched once the rescue operation is over," officials said. Preliminary estimates suggested that there could be three to four militants insi­de the camp. Union Home Min­ister Rajnath Singh said, "Our Army and security forces are effectively acco­m­plis­hing their job."

Intel inputs ignored
Intelligence inputs had warned of an attack on an Army or sec­urity establishment by Jaish-e-Mohammed in view of the death anniversary of Afzal Guru, who was hanged on February 9, 2013. A high alert has been sounded in Jammu.

12
No. of soldiers killed in a suicide attack at Sunjuwan camp in 2006