JAMMU & KASHMIR :

The death toll in Saturday’s fidayeen attack carried out by JeM terrorists on an Army camp in Jammu’s Sunjuwan climbed to six after three more soldiers were found dead, while the body of a slain Lance Naik’s father was recovered on Sunday.

Security forces also reportedly killed a fourth terrorist on Sunday, as Army Chief Bipin Rawat reviewed security with his top commanders in Jammu. On Saturday, two soldiers had been reported dead.

Ten soldiers, including a Lieutenant Colonel and a Major, have been wounded in the strike. A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team also reached Sunjwan on Sunday to take stock of the situation.

Lieutenant Colonel Devender Anand, Defence Spokesperson at Jammu, said the bodies of one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), two jawans and a soldier’s father were recovered by Indian Army commandos from residential quarters. All of them were killed by the terrorists in initial stages of the attack on Saturday.

“So far, six fatal casualties have occurred. They include two JCOs, three jawans and one civilian dependent — all residents of Jammu and Kashmir. In addition, 10 people have been injured, of whom six are women and children. They include one pregnant lady. A 14-year-old boy with gunshot wounds in the head remains critical”, said Lieutenant Colonel Anand.

The slain soldiers have been identified as Subaidar Madan Lal, Subaidar Mohommad Ashraf Mir, Havaldar Habibullah Qureshi, Naik Manzoor Ahmad and Lance Naik Mohammad Iqbal — all from the First Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI). The slain civilian has been identified as Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Sheikh, the father of Lance Naik Iqbal.

The injured officers have been identified as Lieutenant Colonel Rohit Solanki and Major Avijit Singh — both from the Sixth Mahar Regiment.

The gunfight has ended, but Army troops are busy in combing operations to sanitise the area before formally calling it off. “Sanitisation and search operations are continuing”, said Lieutenant Colonel Anand.

The Indian Army confirmed the death of only three fidayeens in the operation so far. “The third terrorist was also found wearing Army combat dress and was heavily armed, like the other two killed previously. Arms and ammunition have been recovered from them”, said Lieutenant Colonel Anand

Heavily armed fidayeens of Jaish-e-Mohammad’s Afzal Guru Squad (AGS), donning combat fatigues, had stormed the 36 Brigade Headquarters of the Army and took shelter in residential blocks meant for JCOs at Sunjuwan in the Jammu division on Saturday morning.

Most of the 150 houses were cleared and occupants moved to safer places. Special forces were also flown to Jammu to help flush out militants.

Rawat flew to Jammu on Saturday evening to take stock of the situation. He reviewed the security situation with his top commanders who briefed him about the operation.

Sources said the General was given a detailed briefing about the attack and the operation launched by the forces to flush out the militants.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> India / by Ishfaq-Ul-Hassan / February 12th, 2018