The militants have launched twin attacks on police and army in Indian Kashmir. At least 12 people including a Lt Colonel of Indian army, five soldiers and four policemen have been killed in the ongoing attack.

New Delhi, Sept 26/Nationalturk – At least 12 people including a Lt Colonel of Indian army, five soldiers and four policemen were killed in twin militant attacks in Indian Kashmir.

“Three militants dressed in army uniform, who were  travelled in a three-wheeler descended outside Police Station Hira Nagar in Kathua district, some 200 kms from Srinagar, summer capital of Indian Kashmir, early this morning. The militants opened fire on a policeman deployed outside Police Station, killing him on spot. After killing the policeman, militants barged into the police station and fired indiscriminately on the policemen deployed in police station,” police officer Rajesh Kumar told media persons.

He said four policemen and a civilian were killed in the militant attack.

“Later, militants hijacked a truck at gun point and shot dead conductor of the vehicle when it reached near an army camp in adjoining Samba district of Indian Kashmir, some 25 kms from the spot where they carried first attack,” the police officer said.

He said the militants killed an army man deployed on main gate of the Army’s 16 Cavalry camp in Samba and forced their entry inside the heavily fortified camp by firing heavily.

Heavy exchange of fire between militants, soldiers going on

The heavy exchange of fire between militants and army man was going in the army camp when reports last poured in. Additional police, paramilitary and army soldiers have rushed to the spot to assist the army men in flushing out the militants.

Media reports including private TV channel NDTV said six Indian soldiers including Lt Colonel Bikramjeet Singh have reportedly been killed in the firefight, which was going on. Many soldiers and policemen have been injured in the attack so far.  “A Colonel-level Commanding Officer (CO) of the army unit was among the injured,” reports said.

Army commandos taking on militants

Sources said army have moved in crack commandos and quick action teams inside the camp.

“It is not known whether any of the militants has been killed so far. The exact number of militants involved in the attack is also being ascertained,” they said.

The chief minister of Indian administered Kashmir Omar Abdullah said 12 people including an army officer have been killed in the attack. “It is being probed whether militants had come from Pakistan”.

Helicopters, tanks pressed into service

Army has press helicopters and tanks into service to trace militants and find them out.

The army helicopters were hovering over the area. “They were trying to find the exact location of the militants so that they can be pinpointed,”army sources said.

The tanks have also been pressed into service. A tank could be seen moving to the camp in TV footage.

The militant attack has taken place three days ahead of meeting of prime minister of India and Pakistan in New York during the sidelines of UN General Assembly session.

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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk India News