At least five army personnel and two policemen were killed in a pre-dawn attack on an Army camp near Uri town of north Kashmir's Baramulla district days ahead of the third phase of assembly elections.
Army soldiers started massive search operation against militants after an enounter at Kalaroos (Lolab) Kupwara district of North Kashmir. (PTI Photo)
Militants, three of whom were gunned down, carried out the attack on the army camp at Mohra in Uri Tehsil at around 3am and engaged the security forces in a fierce gunbattle, police officials said.
"We have reports that armymen have also been killed, but the number could be more," Kashmir's inspector general of police AG Mir told Hindustan times while confirming the death of two policemen.
Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said all militants involved in the attack would be eliminated.
Sources said as many as four armymen were feared fatally injured in the attack, though the army is yet to confirm this.
"Terrorists opened small arms fire and lobbed grenades on the army camp at Mohura at 3am. Army response teams immediately mobilised and surrounded the area. Firefight continued till 9.30 in the morning and all terrorists were neutralised," an army official at the encounter site said.
"Casualties sustained by security forces during the operation are being ascertained. Injured have been evacuated to Baramulla and are stable. A search is still in progress," he added.
Sources said the attack on the ordinance camp was carried out by a group of three to four militants who are believed to have infiltrated in the Indian region a few days ago. Police and security persons have sealed the area and are not allowing any civilian movement.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said the attack was a "desperate attempt" to disrupt peace and normalcy.
"Once again shows the desperate levels militants will go to disrupt peace and normalcy," Abdullah posted on Twitter.
He said Jammu and Kashmir police and army were responding to the attack in Uri.
"Militants have struck an army camp in North Kashmir between Baramulla and Uri. Security force casualties are feared. It's an ongoing encounter," he added.
The attack comes just four days ahead of assembly elections in Uri and six other constituencies of the Baramulla district on December 9.
On December 2, the army had foiled an infiltration bid in Handwara area of Kupwara district killing six militants. One army personnel was also killed.
The infiltration bid was foiled as people in Kupwara district were voting to elect their representatives.
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