‘On June 03, an Indian army convoy was on way to Kashmir from winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir when it was ambushed by Hizb ul Mujahideen militants’
Srinagar: In an operation which nearly last for an hour, J&K police on Monday said that four militants were killed in Bandipora district.
As the faithful were readying for Fajr Namaz (pre-dawn prayers in Islam), people in and around Sumbal area in Bandipora district heard gun shots near Irrigation Colony.
Sumbal, which is at least twenty kilometres away from summer capital towards northern areas, houses a big army garrison besides a few companies of para-military Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and J&K police.
“In a joint operation by CRPF and J&K police, four militants were killed,” said Director General of J&K Police in a series of tweets soon after police declared the operation ended.
However, DGP Dr Sesh Paul Vaid did not disclose the identity of the slain militants.
“They attempted a suicide attack,” Dr Vaid added.
Suicide attackers are known as ‘Fidayeen’ in Urdu.
Locals from Sumbal area told the FreePressKashmir that as people heard gunshots from the colony which houses an Industrial estate, they rushed home soon after finishing Fajr Namaz. “It created panic,” one youth said.
Screenshot of a tweet by DG J&K Police regarding Sumbal attack.
According to J&K police officials, the industrial area in Irrigation Colony houses a company of CRPF.
“45th battalion of CRPF housed in the area came under fire following which police officials rushed to the area,” one official said. “Additional forces from SOG and local police were brought and fire fight started again after 4:45 am.”
By 5:30 am, the locals said, eerie silence prevailed in the area and “now it was clear the operation had ended”.
Dr Vaid, in a tweet added photos showing recovery arms and ammunition from the slain militants.
Complimenting J&K police and CRPF personnel involved in the operation, Dr Vaid said, “AKs (guns) and huge quantity of grenades (were) recovered (from the dead militants).”
“Initial exchange of fire continued for at least twenty to twenty-five minutes,” he said. “And when light broke, fire fight again started resulting in death of four militants.”
If reports are to be believed, bodies of the slain militants have been shifted to Badampora base of Indian Army.
J&K Police buries the unidentified militants in a graveyard in Gantamulla area of Baramulla district.
“The area is calm,” a resident of Sumbal said. “Forces have left.”
“Situation is absolutely under control,” Dr Vaid told a news channel over phone.
In past few days, it is second attack on Indian armed forces.
On June 03, an Indian army convoy was on way to Kashmir from winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir when it was ambushed by Hizb ul Mujahideen militants near Lower Munda Toll Plaza in Qazigund area of Anantnag district.
Two army soldiers were killed while four others were injured in the attack.
The militants escaped from the site unhurt.
