The attack has raised several questions which the Army and intelligence agencies will have to answer in the coming days. From where did the militants arrive and how were they able to storm into the Army camp are queries that need immediate attention. After the September 18 Uri attack, in which 20 soldiers were killed, the Defence Ministry had called for a security audit of all Army installations. Now, the loopholes which the militants exploited will have to be ascertained.
Around 5:13 am, the three militants targeted an Army unit of 16 Corps on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway which passes through Nagrota town. They stormed inside after hurling grenades and killing the sentry on the gate. There was heavy exchange of fire in the morning. Towards the afternoon, its intensity had reduced but intermittent firing continued till the evening.
In the initial assault, the militants possibly carried out the maximum damage. Soon after the attack, the whole area was cordoned off by the Army and the militants were confined to a particular area. Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force personnel also reached the spot, providing security cover to the camp.
Choppers, bullet-proof vehicles and Special Forces personnel were also pressed into service even as all traffic movement in the area was stopped. This area is well fortified with high walls and two layers of barbed-wire fence. For an ordinary person, it is next to impossible to enter the unit premises.
This is for the first time that the 16 Corps (White Knight Corps) headquarters has come under fidayeen attack. The area is situated on northern side of the Tawi in dense forest.
The unit that was targeted is on the rear end of the headquarters, which is spread over hundreds of kanals. While coming from the Srinagar side, the unit is at the entrance and houses several residential quarters.
‘Terrorists were in police uniform’
“The militants were in police uniform and took advantage of the darkness when they fired on a sentry,” said an eyewitness at the encounter site. Another eyewitness, Kartar Singh (55), whose house is situated near the Army unit, said: “When I heard gunshots, I thought it was a routine exercise as the firing range is near and we hear gunshots often. But when grenades were hurled by militants and the sound of alarm started coming from all sides, my family members and I huddled in one room.”
Udhampur, Katra on high alert
Udhampur: Udhampur district and Katra-Vaishno Devi in Resai district have been put on high alert after three terrorists were killed during an encounter with security forces in the neighbouring Samba district along the International Border on Tuesday. Udhampur Senior Superintendent of Police Shailendra Mishra said, “Udhampur is on high alert following the militant attack. The inputs came early and all our men and officers are on ground. We have been conducting regular checking of vehicles. All suspects are being questioned or being stopped and there are a few detentions as well.” Talking about the security of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the SSP said, “The highway is facing a perpetual threat. It had happened last year also when there had been multiple attacks on the highway, besides, there had been a couple of attacks in Udhampur. So, we can never be complacent about it. There is always going to be a possibility that militants might target this lifeline to the Valley.” —ANI
Post-surgical strikes, spike in fidayeen attacks
Srinagar: Even after India carried out surgical strikes after the Uri attack on September 18, Pakistan-backed militants have carried out four fidayeen (suicide) attacks in the past nearly two months.
While security forces have successfully foiled three of them in Kashmir, however, the militants managed to sneak into the Army installation in Nagrota.
The Uri attack that left 19 soldiers dead was followed by surgical strikes along the Line of Control (LoC) on militant-launching pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). However, these strikes, it seems, failed to have an impact on the ground situation in strife-torn J&K.
Since surgical strikes, 18 Indian soldiers and Border Security Force (BSF) men have been killed in either Pakistani firing or militant attacks along the LoC. The first fidayeen attack after surgical strikes was foiled on October 2 in north Kashmir’s Baramulla town. A BSF man was killed and another was injured when militants attempted to sneak into an Army battalion headquarters of a Rashtriya Rifles unit in Baramulla town. — TNS
Anger pours in
Attack is on military installations
The Nagrota terror strike wasn’t targeted at civilians as the militants seek local support. Statistics have shown that the attack is on military installations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been briefed on it. — Manohar Parrikar, Defence minister
Resolve to fight terrorism strengthened
Such dastardly acts won’t lower our resolve to fight terrorism. I feel pained at the loss of Army men in the Nagrota attack. My heartfelt condolences to the families of these bravehearts. Mehbooba Mufti, Chief minister
It’s a ‘message’ to India
The terror attack at Nagrota is a “message” sent by Pakistan’s newly appointed army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to India. His policy will be same as followed by his predecessor... We (also) need to send across a message to him. India will hit back harder every time it is targeted. RK Singh, Former home secretary
Another strike needed
Ever since the Uri attack happened, Pakistan has turned the heat and unleashed a string of attacks on us while we are still beating the drum about the lone surgical strikes. Yes, we did carry out surgical strikes, but clearly that has not silenced Pakistan. PM Narendra Modi should order Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to launch an all-out attack against the hostile neighbour. Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena leader
Major militant attacks in 2016
November 25: Two policemen killed and another critically wounded in a militant attack near the Kulgam bus stand in south Kashmir
October 15: An SSB jawan killed and nine others wounded in a militant attack in Zakoora, near Srinagar
October 10: Two fidayeen attacked the EDI building at Sempore. Both militants killed
September 18: Militants storm an Army base in Uri killing 19 soldiers and wounding 23 others. Four fidayeen militants killed
August 15: A CRPF Commandant and a policeman killed and nine security men wounded after militants targeted old Srinagar on Independence Day. Two militants neutralised
June 25: Militants intercept a CRPF convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway killing eight security men and injuring 22 others. Two militants killed
June 3: Three BSF jawans killed and seven others injured after militants ambush a convoy at Bijbehara in south Kashmir
May 23: Three policemen killed in two attacks in Srinagar
February 20-22: Three elite para commandos, including two Captains, two CRPF men, three militants and a civilian killed in Sempore gunfight.
Forces fatalities :76
Totalultras killed :125
(The Tribune)
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