New Delhi/Srinagar: Three terrorists who attacked an army base in Jammu and Kashmir's Tangdhar this morning were eliminated by the security forces after a seven-hour gunbattle. One civilian lost his life while a soldier was also injured in the incident
The militants attacked from the rear side of the camp at 6.15 AM, which resulted in few vehicles catching fire, defence sources said.
"There was a stand off fire from Kalsuri Ridge (in Tangdhar sector) towards an army camp this morning," the official said.
After about seven hours of intense gunbattle, Army said all the three militants involved in the attack were killed.
One civilian also lost his life in the incident, Army said.
The militants were heavily-armed as they used small fire arms and UBGLs to carry out the attack.
SSP Kupwara Ijaz Ahmad said the three militants had entered the camp.
Tangdhar sector is close to the LoC in Kupwara district and has been used as an infiltration route in the past.
According to reports, gunfire started inside Gorkha Rifles camp in Tangdhar town of Kupwara district after militants attacked the camp.
"There was a stand off fire from Kalsuri Ridge (in Tangdhar sector) towards an army camp this morning," an army official said.
He said there was a brief lull before the militants opened fire again, triggering off a gunbattle, which was going on till last reports came in.
The official said the militants seem to be heavily armed as they used small fire arms and UBGLs to carry out the attack.
Tangdhar sector is close to the LoC in Kupwara district and has been used as an infiltration route in the past.
The official said it was not yet clear whether the militants were part of infiltrating group. "That is a matter of investigation. We can comment on it only after the operation is over," he added.
Terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Militant hideout busted in Poonch
Meanwhile, security forces overnight busted a militant hideout in Poonch district. Several arms and ammunition were recovered in Tuesday night's operation in the Jammu region, police said.
"Troops of 39 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and special operations group (SOG) of state police on Tuesday night busted a militant hideout in Dungi Cheed forest area near Mangnar village in Poonch district," a senior police official saod.
"One AK-47 rifle with 113 rounds, Pika ammunition, two IEDs, one Chinese grenade, Pakistani SIM cards and currency notes were recovered from the busted hideout," the official added.