SRINAGAR: Three army men including a captain rank officer were killed in a wee hour militant attack in Chowkibal, a Kupwara periphery closer to the Line of Control. Two militants were also killed in the attack.
Defence sources said that militants carried out an attack on the Panzgam army camp at around 4:30 am. It led to an exchange of fire that continued for some time. When the firing stopped, there were two militants killed and three soldiers including a Captain and a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO). One reported identified the captain as Ayush. Defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia confirmed the attack.
Reports said that five soldiers were injured of whom four were rushed to Srinagar for specialised treatment. Some of the soldiers were termed serious. The attacked garrison is an artillery base.
Thursday attack on the army base took place ahead of a security review by the Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The meeting was initiated after the Chief Minister met Prime Minister had a brief talk early this week. Later, Chief Minister presided over a meeting of the Unified Headquarters.
Reports said the army is busy in combing operations right now. There were apprehensions that the militant squad that attacked the camp might not have been comprised of two militants only. No militant outfit has staked the claim so far.
