Jammu,05 August: Security forces killed a militant and captured another alive setting free three hostages after a fierce gunfight which left 2 BSF Jawans dead.
According to Sources at least ten jawans were injured in the attack which started around 7.30 am and lasted for five hours. The militants hurled grenades and opened fire on the convoy when it reached Samroli near Udhampur on its way from Jammu to Srinagar.
One of the militants while trying to flee the spot took three people hostage, forcing security forces to proceed with caution. But he was later overpowered and all the hostages rescued, IG Jammu, Danish Rana said.
Reports said the attack took place a short while after a batch of pilgrims to the Himalayan shrine of Amarnath passed the spot. Army and police have rushed to the spot and entire area was cordoned off immediately the firing began.
The official said that as soon as the militant fled, an alarm was raised; besides people were asked to pass on information on spotting the militant.
He said that when locals spotted him, they overpowered him and handed him over to concerned police station. The injured have been taken to a hospital, IG Rana said, adding massive combing operations have been launched in nearby areas.
Vehicular movement on the highway has been stopped following the attack.Former chief minister Omar Abdullah tweeted that this is the first attack in that area in several years. “An attack on that stretch of the NH in very long time. Worrying development because that area was militant-free,” he said.
The militant attack, which comes days after ultras attacked Dinanagar Police Station in Punjab, was the first in Udhampur district after over a decade.