Militants dressed in Army uniforms attacked the Indian Army base near the town of Arnia on Thursday, as the leaders of India and Pakistan attended a Saarc summit aimed at boosting trade.
A gunfight between the militants and the Army was continuing, a senior Indian Army officer said. Three militants had been shot dead and one arrested, the officer said.
Four to five militants attacked the Army base near the town of Arnia, about four km (2.5 miles) from the border with Pakistan, the officer, who did not wish to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media, said.
The militants had divided into two teams, with one group heading for an Army bunker and the other holed up inside a village house, the officer said.
The gunmen didn't infiltrate from the Pakistani side of the border, a senior Border Security Force official said.
"They came in a car to Arnia and took shelter in a bunker and targeted the Army," he said.
Omar says no coincidence
Chief minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the attack "can't be a coincidence" and that he condoled the death of the soldier with his family.
"The timing of the attack in Arnia can't be a coincidence. My condolences to the family of the army officer killed in Arnia," Omar posted on his Twitter handle.
1. Some things will never change, SAARC summit is on, Ind & Pak PMs at the same venue and a fierce encounter breaks out in Jammu.
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) November 27, 2014
2. The timing of the attack in Arnia can't be a coincidence. My condolences to the family of the Army officer killed in Arnia.
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) November 27, 2014
All police nakas along the NH in Jammu & other sensitive locations have been put on high alert & the situation is being closely monitored.
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) November 27, 2014 Meanwhile, troops noticed suspicious movement near Line of Control (LoC) in Leharan Company Operating Base in Lam Battalion area of Rajouri district around 0630 hours today, a senior Army officer said.
The security personnel responded immediately and foiled an infiltration bid, he said.
During search operation, a suspected militant was apprehended and one AK47 with 30 rounds, one Pakistan made pistol and Rs 8,100 Pakistan currency were seized from his possession.
He was identified Adul Qayoomi alias Punjabi, the Army officer said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to campaign for BJP in second phase of assembly elections in Udhampur and Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on November 28.
Modi will address rally in Udhampur district, which is 100km from Arnia.
According to Kashmir BJP spokesman Farooq Khan, Modi will address rallies in Udhampur district and border district of Poonch at 12pm and 2:30pm on Friday.
Security has been beefed up by BSF along the border and also in Jammu city, Udhampur and Poonch areas.
The Army had on Wednesday said militants were out to disturb the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir but the forces were alert to foil their designs.
(With inputs from PTI, IANS, Reuters)
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