Srinagar, June 5: Heavily armed militants on Tuesday evening at around 8.20 pm attacked army camp at Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
Official sources told media that a group of militants opened indiscriminate fire upon the army’s 13 RR camp which also has a police station and SOG camp in the vicinity.
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The militants lobbed several grenades using UBGLs on the army camp resulting in heavy firing between the two sides.
According to witnesses the militants, believed to be more than three in number, attacked the camp of Rashtriya Rifles from three sides.
Initially, it was believed the attackers barged into the RR camp, police sources however said later the attack was repulsed and militants have fled.
Additional reinforcements of army’s Para Commandos have been called and are being rushed to the spot, sources said.
Police and army officials said it was not a suicide attack as believed earlier.
“It was not a suicide attack. The firing has stopped and the combing operation is on. There was no loss of life,” a police official said.
The army termed the attack as “standoff” saying the troops retaliated.
Meanwhile, sources said that announcements were made via public address system asking people to come out on streets following which clashes erupted near the site.
Since the ‘Ramadhan ceasefire” Kashmir has witnessed a surge in grenade attacks and hit-and-run attacks, particularly in south Kashmir. More than four dozen people including security forces have been injured in such attacks.
“Terrorist attack on army camp, IED attack against army vehicle, 10+grenade attacks in recent days. Who was it who was saying militancy in Kashmir was dying and its last stages?#remind me,” tweeted former chief minister Omar Abdullah soon after the attack.
